Halle’s 21st birthday
If I refuse to believe it, does that mean it didn’t happen? Just kidding. Nothing has brought me more joy than watching you grow up. You are so smart, driven (you woke up super early in Australia to take an interview for an internship!) and just plain fun to be with.
Our family always feels whole whenever you come home. We all feel lighter, more excited about life and ready to seize the day.
This been a big year! Most notably—KENYA. What an incredible and life altering experience that was. Your study abroad was not of the faint of heart! Living in what can only be described as a hut, washing your own clothes, dealing with bugs and internet and power outages, camping and doing research projects. And of course, THE ANIMALS. They were epic.
It’s been so fun watching you and Owen navigate a new relationship and all the big, fun feelings that come along with that. It’s so cute to see the two of you together and how much you care for each other.
One funny story from the year that I hope you won’t mind living on the blog—you called me because a physics test had got way worse than you anticipated. You got a zero on the short answer section. You thought there was a good chance you didn’t put your name on that paper and were so embarrassed to reach out to the professor. I said that he’d probably laugh and re-enter your grade. Well….you called me back later and said, “ummm….I, in fact, DID put my on my paper.” We commiserated and then we laughed. That was not an ideal situation, and you were able to be strong, laugh, and move on. There will be so many times like this in life. Times that feel defeating, and slightly embarrassing. But, if you can keep your head up and keep moving forward, lots of them will generally work out in the end.
Life keeps coming hard and fast, and I can’t wait to see where your next adventure leads. Thanks for being such an amazing sister to your brothers and for loving them and playing and joking with them. They adore you. Dad and I couldn’t love you any more—we are constantly in awe of all that you do. Keep being your confident, fun, ambitious self!
Love, Mom
This year we went up to Celebrate in Ft Collins. We went to Cafe Mexicali for Dinner, did an escape room, and then went back and had treats with roomies and friends. So fun!
ALSO–this cute girl got to go to the Sabrina Carpenter concert and sit in the 2nd row!!! Dream come true.
