The first time your Mom and I ever heard the term ‘old soul’ was at a parent-teacher conference with Mrs. Thornton-Anderson. Though we didn’t know the term, we were very familiar with the concept.
I knew I would love being your father, but I couldn’t have known how much, and really had no idea what I was in for. I went into fatherhood hoping to fill a waiting, empty vessel with my abundance of wisdom; but what we found was so different. From the beginning, you were a child of intense self-determination, and of your own innate wisdom, the source of which I cannot even speculate. At some point, I think we realized that the wisest course we could take in your upbringing was to feed and shelter you—and love you, of course—but also to know when to stand back and watch in wonder as you have taken on the roles for which you were destined.
It has been, and remains, our incredible privilege to be your mentors, but in so many ways, you have been our teacher along the way. We love you to the Moon and back, over and over again, and are so optimistic for the chapters to come.
Happy eighteenth birthday, Maddie!
Love,
Dad
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