Blake’s 16th birthday

Dear Blake,

Wow—16 already!

This year has been another whirlwind of growth and joy. You absolutely nailed Driver’s Ed and earned that coveted permit—hands down one of the proudest “I still can’t believe I drove a car today” moments. I loved watching you in your first driving lesson at the airpark; you handled it like a champ!

Adventure EFY with Josh in Moab was another amazing experience. You had a ton of fun making new friends, pushing yourself physically, and also growing spiritually.

And let’s talk about ReDonkeylous—your shaved ice stand! You really expanded your reach this year and it’s been fun to watch you grow. It wasn’t just about the flavors (though let’s be real, Tiger’s Blood was a hit)—it was about your drive, your humor, and your willingness to put yourself out there. Watching you serve shave ice and big smiles was one of the highlights of my summer.

You’ve also stepped up in powerful, quiet ways. As Teacher’s Quorum President, you took your calling seriously and grew into a confident leader. After the Book of Mormon read-a-thon, you bore such a beautiful testimony about unexpected blessings—how something you thought might be boring became a sacred opportunity to grow and serve. That really moved me.

And of course… how could I not mention karaoke night on the Disney cruise? You, standing up there with that microphone like you owned the stage, delivering a full-blown performance with 100% confidence. It was amazing. I was half laughing, half crying, and fully in awe of your ability to just go for it. That kind of boldness is rare, and I hope you never lose it.

You’re growing so fast—both in stature and in spirit. Drumline, faith, friendships, running, driving, travel… you’ve said yes to so many opportunities, and those yes’s are paying off beautifully. I’m endlessly proud of your perseverance, your joy, and the way you lift up the people around you.

Sweet sixteen is a big deal. It comes with milestones and memories to savor, and I couldn’t be more excited for this next year with you. Keep leaning into the things that bring you joy—music, faith, leadership, and spending time with friends. Keep enjoying those moments of belly-laughs with me over Instagram reels and animal videos. ❤️

Blake, Dad and I love you more than words can say. You are exactly the kind of person we prayed you’d become—thoughtful, driven, caring, and full of heart. Thank you for letting us share in this journey with you. Keep growing, keep dreaming, and savor every moment.

Happy 16th Birthday!

With all my love,

Mom

Lots of birthday fun this year. We had a big party on the last day of school, complete with your annual Menchies cake. Then, on your birthday, you were to sick to run the BB10k, but luckily recovered enough to go to Slick City. We had a blast with our cousins making slow mo videos on all the slides.