XV

This year was supposed to be better. Having survived 22 weeks of a Pandemic before his last birthday, we naively thought that Owen's 15th year would involve more people and fewer masks.

We sort of missed the mark on that one.

Owen started his high school experience remotely, with only one of his friends from middle school attending the same school and only sharing one class with him – online gym. And while virtual high school was a challenge for everyone, attending a performing arts high school where you can't actually perform together and instead have to upload recordings of just your part using click tracks, kind of takes the fun out of playing. Owen sort of checked out – from classes and friends and really anything that didn't involve youtube videos critiquing the American educational system or Dr. Who. That coupled with an insurrection and just the general ennui of being a teenage boy in 2020 made for a rough fall and winter, with only a few trips and outings to break up the monotony and introduce the occasional outside social interaction (thank you Gabriel).

But in the spring, Owen started attending school a couple of days a week in person and actually got to play with some other Duke cellists and bassists. Climbing Club started up again and he was able to hang out with some kids his age (provided they all wore masks). He grew. He was able to attend Nats games again. First Day School began meeting again in person and involved activities like finding gas leaks and harvesting honey (not entirely clear which part of SPICES those activities relate to, but still...). After numerous tense conversations and more helicopter parenting then any of us felt good about, Owen finally started participating in class and even made the Honor Roll. And most importantly, Owen got vaccinated in May, relieving a lot of his anxiety and fear, and allowing him to actually relax and enjoy his summer. 

Which he did. He rode his first rollercoaster (and his second). He went to the Baseball Hall of Fame and saw all the Nationals World Series mementoes. He swam and ate s'mores. He went to camp and stayed in a cabin with a bunch of other 14 and 15 year olds without any electronic devices. He kayaked. He discovered he's weirdly good at miniature golf and not bad at pool. He jumped off the high dive numerous times, performed in a hootenanny, and was willingly pummeled by waves. And he was really, really happy for the first time in a long time.

Which we really hope continues as Owen starts his sophomore year of school in-person (though due to the recent spike in COVID cases, it still won't be a "normal" school year). And while we know that there are still trials and tribulations ahead, the fact that Owen has survived 74 weeks in a Pandemic and is still the sweet, enthusiastic kid that we all know and love, makes us feel like he can handle whatever life throws at him. Happy birthday, little man. We love you so, so much and know that you've got this (and that we've got your back). 

1. Finland – now that that's a country that understands how to run an educational system.
2. You know the rules.
3. Actually...
4. Pool sharks are cool, baby sharks are annoying, and land sharks should only be observed from a safe distance.
5. We will defend our house. Eventually. Once we rebuild the Nats and I'm in college...
6. Trust your captain, but keep your seatbelt securely fastened.
7. Imposters, they walk Among Us.
8. Music writers may argue, but the definitive top five Marvel movie scores is Iron Man III followed by Thor, Winter Soldier, Civil War and Dr. Strange.  
9. You're never fully dressed without a... fleece and sweatpants. 
10. And in the immortal words of Dr. Who, There's a lot of things you need to get across this universe. Warp drive... worm hole refractors... You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold.