Dear Lucy,
Here we go – one last year before you venture into the uncharted territory of teenagerhood! If the year ahead is anything like this past one, it will fly by – complete with new friendships and adventures. But I get ahead of myself. How about today we just celebrate Birthday #12?
These past 365 days have been jam-packed with all that makes a girl happy – friends, shopping, and transforming your bedroom into your own mini-apartment.
You’ve found your people – a great group of trustworthy, faithful, fun girls. Hanging out in each other’s homes or enjoying an outing together – doesn’t matter. If there’s not a plan, you’re busy making a plan. You’re intentional but flexible, always figuring out how you can spend time together – which, by the way, is your favorite place to be!
You’ve continued to hone your skills as an expert bargain shopper, always getting the most bang for your buck. But Shopper Lucy definitely tests the stamina of her shopping companions. You love a bargain – great! You can’t decide what the best bargain is – not so great. Long deliberations have been known to push your shopping buddies over the edge, but in the end, no one can dispute that you’ve snagged the deals.
You finally got the bed of your dreams – full of shelving, drawers, and secret compartments for all the things. Oh, and there’s even a place for you to sleep at night! You’ve been busy organizing, decorating, and tucking clothes away. It’s looking more like the space and the girl who inhabits that space are growing up!
The big deal this past year has been that you’ve taken your interest in volleyball to the next level. I was so proud to see you have the courage to try out for a select team after a couple of years of recreational play. Tryouts were brutal and sometimes discouraging, but you persevered and earned your spot on the team. All those backyard workouts and drills really paid off! You’ve got a wicked serve and are always in the right spot to set the ball. It’s been fun watching you grow into the player you’ve become, and you’ll only get better with time.
One little quirk that can do nothing but endear you to me is that you’re particular about your writing instruments. For your birthday, you requested pencils – mechanical pencils – pastel mechanical pencils – pastel mechanical pencils with 0.7 mm lead refills. Sister, I hear you. For me, there’s one pen – and one pen only. We stand united.
You rarely miss a Wednesday night activity with the middle school kids at church, and you’ve taken the challenge to be in the Word seriously. Your Bible is highlighted and sticky-noted on the various verses and passages you’re working through. Best part – you do more than mark up your Bible. You consider the truth of what you learn and then apply it to your everyday life.
One verse in particular best personifies the Lucy I know. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” What a joy to see you growing into this verse and so many others! Papa and I are so proud of you, and we wish you the happiest birthday!
Always loving you with all of my heart,
Milly
