My one and only child turned 15 years old.
TODAY.
Every year I have tried to make a big deal about my son’s birthday. In fact, I usually let him stay home from school so he and I can spend that day doing something fun together. I’ve thrown outrageous parties for him. And, I’ve been fortunate enough in the past, to have been able to afford most of the presents he’s ever wanted. But as he’s gotten older, I’ve also given him things that were much more ‘meaningful’ and a lot less ‘materialistic.’
Like for instance…
When my son turned twelve, I wrote him THIS letter.
When he turned thirteen, I made him THIS video.
And when he turned fourteen, THIS happened.
That being said, I’ve thought long and hard about what I could give to him this year, or how I could make this birthday as special or as memorable as other birthday’s gone by.
I thought about embarrassing him by posting old photos.
But that might make him mad.
So then, I thought about publicly thanking him, for FINALLY cutting his hair!!!
But again, that also might make him mad.
So then, I thought about sharing the book report he wrote, back when he was 10 years old, regarding King Arthur. But I’ve already done that.
And I then thought about sharing the story when he got into trouble at school after completing the 12-week D.A.R.E program, simply for speaking his mind. But I’ve already done that too.
And then for a split second, I considered writing him another letter, or making him another video.
Because I really wanted to tell my son just how proud of him I am. I wanted to tell him how he amazes me every single day. I wanted to tell him that even though sometimes I really miss seeing his tiny little fingerprints all over my freshly cleaned glass tables, windows, and mirrors, and, as much as I’d like to remind him about learning the difference between ‘hot candles’ and ‘regular candles’, I have never loved him more than I do today. I wanted him to know that he has surpassed anything I ever imagined. I wanted him to realize that he is becoming a truly wonderful man in this world. And I wanted to tell him how much I love his brilliant sense of humor, his gorgeous smile, and his infectious laugh.
But he’s a bona fide teenager people, and he really doesn’t give two craps about things like that anymore.
So…
Instead of doing any of that, I am going to do the unthinkable.
I am taking my son to the store to buy him YET ANOTHER brand new guitar.
Because that’s all he really wants.
And he totally deserves it.
Happy 15th Birthday, Whosteen!
[* The complete set of birthday photos can be found right HERE!* ]
Well, Happy 15th!!!!!!!!!
Great old photo collection … you always have an artistic and unique way of using them
LOVE the pics, especially the one with the wig & frills and, of course, the one of the 2 of you at the end! The apple did not fall far from the tree at all. Happy birthday JCH! Enjoy the new guitar!
As a guitar wife I have come to realize that you can’t have too many guitars. We now have 5, and when we kicked “The Boy” out, his room became man cave guitar central.
Happy birthday to your son! He’s a great kid you are really fortunate!
Happy Birthday JCH 🙂 He’s becoming a fine young man, thanks to some great influences in his life.
And see Mel, “I’m not discussing my son’s birthday!”, it happened anyway.
I hope he has a great birthday and an amazing year!
A true guitarist can never have too many guitars. I’ve still got 3, and I’ve sold a few. All of them are (and have been) very different in looks and sound 🙂
Oh for goodness sake! I forgot to wish him a Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday and Rock On! What a great post and a fantastic way to celebrate your son.
Happy Birthday JCH! Hope it’s a fantastic day 🙂
Best wishes to your son. Just think, it won’t be long before he will be driving…
Once you get your new Guitar JCH, share your talent with us !
[edit] P.S. happy birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JCH!
Woot! Woot! Woot!
What a faaaaaaaabulous post, Meleah! The photos rock! I especially loved the one of your son in that AWESOME t-shirt. OMG, it’s freakin’ HILARIOUS! And I HAVE to get one, so I can wear it in this ultra-conservative city and watch everyone gasp!
Such an awesome mom you are! I bet he can’t wait to get that new guitar!
Have a super day!
X
Happy Birthday, JCH! You’ll have to play us something on that new guitar of yours!
(meleah: About those older photos – the one with the wig – what on earth is attached to his head? It looks like he got bitch-slapped with a ‘gauntlet’ and it got stuck in the hairspray.)
😉
Yes, I want to buy a vowel and I totally want that t-shirt. You guys are so cute together. You’ve raised a wonderful young man there, my friend. A belated Happy Mother’s Day.
Happy birthday to your son! He sounds like a supercool person! And the pics rocked- he looks better with the haircut!
you are an awesome mommy. i try to do the same thing each year with my mini-me… he’s such a good boy with such a big heart, that i like to go completely overboard and do something super-awesome for him.
Happy “Birth” day Meleah! Justin is darn lucky to have a mama like you! xo
Happy “Birth” day Meleah! Justin is darn lucky to have a mama like you! xo
Happy “Birth” day Meleah! Justin is darn lucky to have a mama like you! xo
Happy “Birth” day Meleah! Justin is darn lucky to have a mama like you! xo
Thanks, Speedy!
Thanks, Speedy!
Thanks, Speedy!
Thanks, Speedy!
Thank you, Madge.
My son now has a total of seven. I think this new one will be number 8.
His room looks like a music store!
Thank you, Madge.
My son now has a total of seven. I think this new one will be number 8.
His room looks like a music store!
Thank you, Madge.
My son now has a total of seven. I think this new one will be number 8.
His room looks like a music store!
Thank you, Madge.
My son now has a total of seven. I think this new one will be number 8.
His room looks like a music store!
Yeah, I couldn’t stop this from happening.
Dammit.
Thanks, Jim.
And your email cracked me up!
Yeah, I couldn’t stop this from happening.
Dammit.
Thanks, Jim.
And your email cracked me up!
Yeah, I couldn’t stop this from happening.
Dammit.
Thanks, Jim.
And your email cracked me up!
Thank you, Anne.
That makes two of us!!
Thank you, Anne.
That makes two of us!!
Ah ha. I’m seeing, hearing that from a lot of guitarists!
Thank you, Babs!
xoxo
Ah ha. I’m seeing, hearing that from a lot of guitarists!
Thank you, Babs!
xoxo
Ah ha. I’m seeing, hearing that from a lot of guitarists!
Thank you, Babs!
xoxo
Ah ha. I’m seeing, hearing that from a lot of guitarists!
Thank you, Babs!
xoxo
Ahahahhahaahah!!
Ahahahhahaahah!!
Ahahahhahaahah!!
Ahahahhahaahah!!
Thanks, Laughing Mom.
🙂
*I’m glad we’ve finally *met*!
Thanks, Laughing Mom.
🙂
*I’m glad we’ve finally *met*!
Thanks, Laughing Mom.
🙂
*I’m glad we’ve finally *met*!
Aw! Thanks, love!!
Aw! Thanks, love!!
Aw! Thanks, love!!
Aw! Thanks, love!!
Shhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Oh hell yes, Jaffer.
My son promised he would let me video & post him playing the guitar!
Finally.