Dani's
Well, Dani, what can I say? You've grown up faster than my college years seemed to fly by. It's hard to believe you're only one year away from your final year of high school.
Even though I haven't been around as much as I would've liked lately, I still remember our fun trips to Starbucks. We'd walk down the street to our local coffee shop, excited for our little adventure. You'd always get your famous hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cake pop, and then we'd pull out our books and read for a while. At the time, I was living with your grandma, so it made those little outings easy. Looking back, those simple moments are some of my favorite memories.
One trip that always makes me smile was going to In-N-Out Burger. You were so excited! I think I'd only been there once or twice when I was your age. These days I try to stay away from fast food since my metabolism isn't what it used to be. You sure loved those burgers and fries, though. The only downside was that ridiculously long line—we probably could've gotten on a Disneyland ride faster!
You've gone through so many stages in your life, and I've seen you experience both the highs and the lows. Life is an interesting journey. Twenty years ago, the world wasn't what it is today, and along the way I've picked up my share of scars. Some run deeper than others, and maybe a few are still healing.
You have your whole life ahead of you, and you're surrounded by people who love you. You have an amazing mom and siblings you'll always look out for. Even when they drive you crazy, you'll be there for them, just like we've always been there for you.
If there's one thing I hope you always remember, it's this: whenever you come across a barrier, don't lose hope. There's always another way forward. Think of a river flowing downstream. It runs into rocks along the way, but it never stops—it always finds a way around them.
Life is full of opportunities. Don't be afraid to take a leap, and if you fall, make it part of your dance. People are like books. We all have stories, and every day we write another page, whether we realize it or not. It's up to you to decide what kind of story you want to tell. And it's okay if you need to erase a few words or rewrite a few paragraphs. Just don't rip out the pages, because every experience teaches us something and helps shape who we become.
Today also happens to be the day one of the greatest legends in music passed away. Rest in peace, Michael J. But for our family, it's also the day a beautiful, talented young woman was born.
Keep your chin up, stay true to who you are, keep moving those feet forward, and always carry love in your heart.
Happy 17th Birthday!
