Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say. I’ll be honest I’ve been putting off blogging Addie’s session, because how am I gonna make a 13 year old girl see how amazing she truly is…via blog post.
This is not a letter to my 13 year old self, or advice for Addie, it’s just some thoughts.
So, for me, I feel like people see me differently than I see myself. The way I see myself isn’t always in the golden sunset light I’m chasing. I see my flaws loud and clear. To hear someone say otherwise is a surefire way for me to 1-deflect, 2-find another flaw to discount myself, or even as low as to 3-question the authenticity of the person. So for me to post on-FREAKING-line, how cool I think this 13 year old is, it’d probably be devastating.
I remember being a teen. I remember losing my voice per say. I remember the hard, the fun, the rises and falls. I remember some of those moments as a teen shaped who I’d grow into as an adult. Some moments I’d go back to in an instant; others you couldn’t pay me or even promise me the world to go back. The bad comes with the good; and it flows like a river as a teen. But it’s our choice to see it as the bad or the good.
Addie, I think you’re pretty freaking cool. Like waaaaaay cooler than I was at 13. I’m pretty sure you were awesome from the moment you were born. Honestly, age 13 to 22, are kinda the sucky years. But they can also be pretty awesome. In the moments that do suck, I hope you choose to see the good. I choose to remember the friend who spoke up when I didn’t have a voice, the people who had my back when I didn’t think I could go on; and the ones who’d fight for me.
ANYONE who tells you they had it made or knew what they were doing at 13…peaked or is going to peak in high school. I know this isn’t your style, but I think it fits.
I will fight
I will fight for you
I always do until my heart
Is black and blue
-Don’t Give up on Me, Andy Grammer
Without further ado, Addie.
PS My 5 year old is OBSESSED with you. Not gonna lie, I’m not showing her you flipping the bird quite yet ;)
