50 Percent More than 10!

Fourteen started rough. September is always a hard month for Noa, but this past year it included entering high school as a freshman at a place they didn't originally want to attend and where they didn't have any friends. It was all very challenging. And then some other stuff happened. Things became overwhelming, which culminated in a break and a reset. 

Fortunately, October was better – upon re-entry they joined the school play as a Everybody's Dorito eating "Evil Acts" and became part of the theater clique. Noa went to Homecoming with a friend and started playing Diplomacy with a whole crew over lunch. Noa joined multiple craft and affinity groups. In the winter they were cast as an extra with a very involved backstory in Mean Girls. They once again jumped in the Potomac for charity (and this time they didn't fall). They joined Burke's softball team. Noa made baked goods for their friends (with various levels of success, but always mindful of food sensitivities). They made art and not so short stories and roasted eggplant. They were promoted to DCYOP's Youth Philharmonic. They applied for and got a job (which was only for a week and unpaid, but still!). The took more art classes and saved fellow students from exhaustion and poisonous plants. They finished the Capaldi arc of Doctor Who. They helped their big brother move into college and realized that they have strong thoughts about the brick ratio at academic institutions. And somewhere along the way, they found their smile again.

And so, we are cautiously optimistic about fifteen. In the past 12 months Noa has become a lot more comfortable with who they are and have surrounded themselves with some pretty great people that appreciate their awesomeness. And while I'm sure there will be bumps in the road, it feels like Noa has gotten better at navigating them.

So happy birthday, little one. We love you and hope your next trip around the sun is filled with light.

1. "I am a golfing god."
2. So many spheres!
3. There is only one true father. There are, however, a number of "dads" up for grabs at Burke. 
4. In case of emergency, there is a "Mark as Lost" feature on your iPhone. It is your best friend.
5. You can put a Duck on a leash, but you can't make them walk.
6. Feed the faceless baby.
7. Will ski for socks.
8. Ovens are terrifying. Stoves are fine. And toaster ovens are amazing. 
9. Sometimes your brother will convince you to watch a Doctor Who that ends with you in tears. And sometimes said brother needs to then by reminded that, "It's your fault for getting me invested!"
10. And in the immortal words of Quentin Tarantino in True Romance, "That's the way it goes. But don't forget, it goes the other way too."