Nineteen Plus One

While it's hard for all of us to accept that Owen is no longer a teenager, Noa seems to be taking it the hardest. Not because they object to Owen growing older per se, but because they reject 20 as an age in principle. After all, no additional milestones are unlocked upon turning 20 – you still can't drink or rent a car – but despite the absence of new found privileges, you're cast off from your cohort, and that seems wrong. And so, Noa declared that for the next year, Owen would be considered 19+1.

It was an interesting year for Owen. He declared multiple majors while growing his hair multiple inches. He rekindled his love of baseball (or rather, blew up the group baseball chat) and continued to grow the St. Mary's softball club (though still not enough to field a full team). He had his first fender-bender (and out of solidarity, his parents had one too). Owen got his first paying job and opened an IRA. He got jury duty (and had to request a deferral). Owen went to Miami for Spring Break (with his father and grandmother in tow). He learned the importance of comfortable shoes and hydration. 

But mostly, Owen just continued evolving into a young man that cares deeply about the world and its people, despite what some people are doing to said world. And while we wish that things in this timeline were a little brighter, we trust that with Owen eventually on the job, we'll get there.

So happy birthday, our not-so-little man. We love you so, so much. 

1. The loan sharks are coming!
2. You get one warning for vaping. If I have to tell you a second time, I'm getting the manager...
3. This is the drone you've been looking for.
4. "An alien came up to me the other day. Big alien. Strong alien. Tears – green tears – running down his face." 
5. If only there were some way that Washington could win the pennant...
6. St. Mary's does not cancel classes for snow. Snowcrete, however, is a different beast entirely.
7. The USA is really lucky the DR couldn't use ABS in the WBC.
8. One doesn't simply walk to Mordor, but you can get there by listening 15 minutes a day.
9. 2026 is all about living the dream... if we define "dream" as an absurdist social simulation game.
10. And in the immortal words of Aunt Mae in Spiderman, Brand New Day, 

    You are a really special person. And I would hope that that will make you feel really great about yourself, but I know sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you'll be really lonely. And sometimes, becuase you're special, people can do dark and monstrous things to you. But this is what I want you to know: You're beautiful and the people who love you, they love you not because you're special, we love you because you're you. Remember that, even when it feels like you're totally alone. That's your deepest responsibility. Never forget that, no matter how powerful you become.