Tomorrow, you’re nineteen. Actually, in thirty seven minutes, you’re nineteen.

This year feels different, doesn’t it?

You’re no longer a student. You’ve found a passion in art, and in doing so, unlocked a level of confidence I didn’t expect. I cannot tell you how it makes my heart feel to watch you blossom.

I’m writing this from inside an Indy bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina. There’s a listening party going on and you wanted to be here on your birthday. Truth be told, I thought I would be so uncomfortable. But I’m not. The store is tucked in a cozy corner beside a set of railroad tracks. The (dark) drive here was giving off I-Know-What-You-Did-Last-Summer vibes, but it didn’t last long.

I am sitting here with a knot forming in the back of my throat, trying not to cry. You are SO HAPPY right now.

Your happiness means THE WORLD to me. If staying up wayyyy past my bedtime, and driving wayyyyy too far puts a smile on your face, sign me up.

I love our life and I love YOU. More than you could ever imagine.

This is the part where I’m tempted to apologize for the parts of our life that are so hard. And there are some really hard parts. I’m not sorry tho. Not anymore. Those pockets of pain make us strong.

Happy 19th birthday! You are, and will forever be, the best part of every one of my days.

Now, let’s get home so we can sleep a while before ordering footlong hot dogs at Fuddruckers later this afternoon!