To Butter on His 13th Birthday

Butter,

I'm going to go all cliché here for a minute... It seems like yesterday I brought you home from the hospital... And here you are... Turning 13. 

I sit back in awe and stare at the person you are becoming. You have a knack for so obviously pointing out... Well... The obvious, that it makes me laugh. Develop that, and you will make even the greatest curmudgeon smile. 

You have such a kind heart. Even at this age, you are willing to give a kid at the football field a dollar because he asked. It wasn't my money you were giving him, but money you earned with your sweat and hard work. You do everything in your power to make someone feel good about themselves, even if that means digging on yourself some. Pineapple looks up to you, and she does that because she knows that you will protect her. 

I have to admit, sending you back to a brick and mortar school this year scared me. I didn't want you to go through the same stuff that you went through before. It bothered me that I wasn't going to be able to protect you the way that I had for the past two years. I'm overjoyed that you are fitting in and doing so well. 

Even when your hormones rage and we clash like World War Three, I don't see the boy that I raised as much as I see this perfect creature standing in front of me. Your words and actions are from frustration, not really any ill will. 

I KNOW I don't say it nearly as much as I should, but Buddy, you are an amazing human being. Thank you for picking me to be your mom. 

Ready?

I wasn't ready to start beauty school. It was more a necessity than a want. Oh, I knew I was going to do something... Eventually... You know, after Pineapple went to Kindgergarten (yeah, we all knew I meant first grade). 

I'm glad I started when I did. 

Scared? That's one way to put it. I had to tell myself several times a day that I was a rock star (shoot, I still do). There is still so much information to absorb and honestly, there is a ton of personal refining I have to do. Staying at home for the past 11 years has depleted my tolerance for stupid people. 

But back to the picture...

You will never be ready... There will always be an excuse on why you should wait. Life doesn't wait. Life just keeps going. 

So do it... Whatever IT is. I did... And it's been amazing!

(I found the image on Pintrest, which links back to here: cupcakesforbreakfast.com)