My Sweet, Sweet Millie Beans……I have sat this entire evening trying to reflect on all things Millie and it’s done nothing but bring me the happiest tears……the amount of joy and excitement and pride and fun you have brought into our lives is just immeasurable. And on this eve of you becoming a teenager I can’t help but get the biggest smile on my face thinking of all that you are and all that you have achieved in 13 years. Before you set off to enjoy what I think will be the best years yet, I want to tell you all of the things that made you YOU during your 12th year. Here goes……
A pandemic during middle school! Surprisingly this did not slow you down! School was done from the comfort of your bed, surrounded by pillows and blankets and lounging in your favorite sweats….you actually enjoyed it! While you missed seeing your friends daily, you thrived in online school. You got all A’s and B’s and great reports from your teachers. When it was time to go back in person, you were excited…..you are a social lady and you love being around people.
Speaking of social….you and your friends made it work! You guys would meet outside rain or shine, masked up and distanced just to keep up with your friendships. It was not uncommon to see you guys dancing outside in the rain in the pitch black of night, bundled up in Gor-tex! My favorite was watching you and Soleil on multiple occasions knitting outside in your winter parkas huddled around the fire pit, laughing your fannies off!! Despite the lockdown, you strengthened your friendships ten-fold……Soleil, Ellie, Anya, Elsa, Stella, Caroline, Olivia (x’s 2), Rachael, Addy, Eva, to name a few! And once you got your vaccine, the power of a hug (especially between you and Soleil and all of the family members outside of our house) was never more evident……you hugged as if it were your last! You value your relationship with others above all else….you are loyal and kind and emotional and faithful….we are all so lucky to have your commitment to us!
You and your best friend, Soleil, thought up, designed, advertised and executed an outdoor PE class for kids ages 4-9. ‘Rain or Shine.’ You saw the cancellations in kid activities during the pandemic and seized on the opportunity to offer something safe and fun for parents in need. You ran this business for a full school year and became famous amongst parents in the neighborhood! You guys made incredible money and both earned other jobs with the families that participated. We were so proud of your leadership and entrepreneurial spirit! It was a glimpse into the success you will have in your future careers and endeavors! Your bank account grew and your business skills grew :)
You took soccer to the next level this year! You were given the opportunity to try out for a newer, more elite club…OL Reign. You were torn because throughout the process you ended up loving both OL Reign and your original club, Celtic. You found out that you made Celtic team first. Hooray! You loved this team. OL Reign was a mystery….you were told there would be several cuts and not everyone would make the team. There was a lot of talent at those tryouts from all over the state. You were content to continue to play for Celtic, thinking you might not make Reign. And then, sure enough, the letter arrived and you made it! You made OL Reign and you were ecstatic! You accepted with a semi heavy heart leaving your beloved Celtic. But you had a goal to improve your game and branch out to a more elite level of play. I am blown away at how your skill-level has increased in just a few short weeks with your new team. Your self esteem, courage, leadership and of course ball skills…..i’ve said it before, but I absolutely LOVE watching you play soccer, Millie!!!
As if soccer and a part time job weren’t enough for a 12 year old, you also eagerly ran for Treasurer of Whitman Middle School and you won! You committed to ASB with gusto, making weekly videos for the student body, managing the school funds and working on a team with other student council members. You learned how to run board meetings, vote on issues and make difficult decisions……your confidence blows me away!
I can’t end this note without touching on your personal style….it’s amazing! While you love a good trend, you also add a Millie flare to it and it works every time! It’s fun to see what you come up with and how you pull it off. At 12 you are still the healthiest kid I know! You choose broccoli over ice cream. I loved listening to ‘our songs’ on our way to and from soccer practice…’Sweet Child of Mine, Beautiful Noise, Maggie Rogers to name a few! You love snowboarding and knitting and chocolate covered almonds. You love high-wasted jeans, crop tops and flannels. You love making videos with your friends. You love to hug and you hang on tight. You use a diffuser every night. You are the messiest eater I know! You ask a question and answer it yourself immediately before I have time to respond. You are lousy at putting your dishes in the dishwasher. You are so loving to your siblings. Your dance skills are the envy of others. You are genuinely happy when others succeed. Your favorite shows areFuller House, Grays Anatomy and Gilmore Girls. Your favorite meal is vegan sausage and white beans over sourdough bread.
You are amazing, Millie Sky Keegan! I love watching you grow and mature and become who you are becoming! Thanks for being such a meaningful daughter, sister and friend! We love you so, so much!!!! Happy 13th!! xoxoxoxo
Mom
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