Happy 17th Birthday, Matilda!

Dear Matilda,

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! Today you turn 17 years old! You’ve had a really amazing last year. Here are some things I would like to remember about you when you turned 17 and some things you might like to remember about your 17 year old self.

1. You love music. You are pretty much always listening to music at all times. You like old school CD’s and have gotten into a lot of bands that your dad liked when he was your age. You also have your own taste in music, but it’s been fun for Daddy to take you to some concerts and get to share this with you. You also introduce me to new musicals which I love as well.
2. You are the Drumline Captain with your friend Jacob for your senior year of marching band. You have turned into an amazing leader and I’m excited for you to inspire and be a mentor to the younger percussionists. You received a really special band award from your high school band director. It was pretty much the highest honor that a non-senior could receive….the Impact Award. Your director recently sent me the NICEST email about you. You are definitely loved, appreciated and valued in the music department at your school.
3. This was the first year you auditioned to be a Madrigal singer in high school and you made it! That’s pretty much the highest level singing group at the high school with 4-5 people singing on each part and mostly all acapella. You will also get to be part of the Madrigal dinner performances which will be really fun. You’ve been an actor in it the last 3 years, but this year you will be a singer!
4. You competed on the speech team the last 3 years and I’m sure you will do that again this year. This past year you competed in Original Oratory (OO) and Dramatic Interpretation (DI) as well as a time or two in Duet Acting. You did really well in your events and you went to sectionals for your Original Oratory. This next year you plan to compete in OO, DI and Dramatic Duet Acting. You received another special award from your Speech coach…..the Ambassador Award. She (just like the band director) had nothing but incredible things to say about you as a teammate, leader and student. So proud of you!
5. You were in the high school musical this past year and made the fall musical as well. They don’t usually do a smaller, Fall musical, but this year they are doing ‘Lucky Stiff’ and you are part of the cast. They haven’t announced the big spring musical yet, but you are hoping to be involved with that as well. You participated in the fall and spring plays last year too. I love seeing you on stage.
6. You have really good friends. You have one small group of 4 friends that I call ‘The Fab 4″ which is you, Ella, Jacob and Brecken (all band percussionists) and then you have your really good girlfriends (Scarlet, Morgan and Greta). You have many, many friends and acquaintances but you prefer to keep your very close friends to a small group. You are well liked by all who meet you.
7. You are still our most picky eater. You could pretty much live on pepperoni pizza and chicken. Maybe someday you’ll come around.
8. You don’t drink anything with caffeine. I’m not sure why, but you don’t want to put that in your body.
9. You like to claim you are not sick even when we know you are obviously sick. You also refuse to take any medication whatsoever no matter how bad you feel. Thankfully you’ve never been in a situation where it was absolutely necessary but someday you may have to take some.
10. Your favorite movie is still National Treasures and your favorite books are the Percy Jackson and Hunger Games series. You like lots of other things too, but those two series are the ones that come to mind.
11. This year for your birthday you have asked for a new hula hoop. You like to go outside and practice these amazing hula hoop tricks. You didn’t use a hula hoop for many years, but when you were little (like 4-6 years old) you use to tell us that what you wanted to be when you grew up was a Hula Hoop Instructor. I didn’t know that was a thing, but maybe you were seeing into your future!
12. On your actual birthday you are planning to go to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago with a friend and then come back to our town for a dinner out with more friends. You also said you plan to get up at 5am to watch the sunrise.
13. You are crafty and love making things (not sure where you get that from!). You have been making these cute hair wrap clip ins with embroidery floss, charms and beads. You love making them to coordinate with your outfits or for friends and family.
14. You still have your definite personal fashion style. You love earthy colors (especially green) and nature-related prints. You pretty much wear black high top Converse every day of your life. I’d like to get you more shoes, but you say that it’s not necessary.
15. You plan to apply for college this next year and want to major in Music Education. You will audition on percussion, although you could probably do vocal if you wanted. Your dream is to be an elementary music teacher and inspire the next generation of musicians.
16. You are REALLY smart. Like waaaaaaay smarter than me. You impress me so much with your knowledge about so many things. You love Jeopardy and would do so well on that show. You will have so many Dual Credit and AP credits that you will probably enter college as at least a sophomore.
17. You love to do outdoorsy things like hiking, fishing, climbing trees etc. You are, by far, our most nature loving child.
18. You are a Pack Leader again this year so that means you’ll help the freshman with orientation and on the first few days of school. You will probably be in the Music National Honor Society again like you have for the last 3 years. You are also part of the International Thespian Society.
19. You had a music internship this summer with Encore Music Academy and helped out with World Drumming for the 3 year old through 6 grade students. The kids loved you and so did the directors.
20. You also got your first REAL paying job! You are working the Kona Ice truck and you are doing a fantastic job. It’s the perfect first job and really works out well since it’s seasonal and you are SOOOOOOO busy during the school year!

Matilda Jane, what can I say……..you have truly blossomed and grown into such an incredible young lady. You are a true leader in your community, someone who people look to for guidance and inspiration and are one of the hardest working and KIND people that I know. I could not be more proud of you and all that you have accomplished. I can’t believe that you are moving into your senior year of high school this next year, but I’m so excited for what’s in store for your future. It is SO VERY bright!!

Happy Birthday, Matilda!

I love your from here to the moon and back again!

Love,

Mama