A few amazing things happened recently that I need to talk to you about.

1. My youngest turned 17. Birthdays do not happen in a vacuum and in our family they require loud noise, tons of people, colors and flavors. It can vary in intensity but they are all still required. Basically, whatever it takes to let the world know that someone in our midst turned another year around the globe – that’s how we celebrate. We monumentize it. It’s a thing. So we did that yesterday. We made the reservations, texted the appropriate people, bought the stuff. We gathered together. But…***About 6 days ago, I got this text: Can …….. come to the birthday dinner? (insert girlfriend)

2. Well, first of all, of course!!! That son brought that perfect girl. Is it a thing to have an additional person at the birthday table? Yep. We never actually did that before. We have 3 teen/twenty-something boys, but for some foreign/unexplained reason the GF thing hasn’t been a thing for our family. Until now. But I am here to tell you, if she makes your son smile and is a deep part of his life, then yes. It’s an additional thing. And you add the seat at the table. And it’s as natural as butter and lemon cake.

Let me tell you all about it. I promise this will be short. Why? Because applauding the worth of a person requires so fewer words than lamenting them. And I applaud her. So, there. Short and sweet.

Numero Uno: She complimented and thanked every person that waited on our table. Water? Thank you so much. Appetizer? Thank you so much. Napkin arrangement? Beautiful! Entree? Delicious, thank you. Dessert? I love it, thank you. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat people that treat them. She treated every person that tended to her with gratitude. What a beautiful thing. ✔

Numero Deux: I listened in on my son’s conversation with her during dinner, because that is also how we learn. What did I overhear? “When you went with me to my brother’s performance at his school…” Well, her brother is 10. 10!!! My son went to a 10 year-old’s school performance?? A 10-year old who is unrelated to said son?? Yep. Well, my legs fell off. Children will shock you and amaze you and bring you to the seat of your soul. Let them. That’s what they are supposed to do. I don’t know when this performance was or when he went, but he did that. WOWZA. ✔

So that just does it, doesn’t it? Our children will surprise us and amaze us and shoot us right out of orbit. Let them. It’s amazeballs. I’m going to ride my spaceship around the globe today and I’ll let you know when I’m grounded again. This particular kid has worked so hard to navigate the world he lives in. I’m so proud and happy and honored that we are a part of his universe. We would not be the same without him and neither would all the other people in his sphere. I’m so excited that other people have found his awesomeness. Let the girlfriends in. They are fine. There are plenty of seats at the table. And they bring things out of our sons that we can’t. What a beautiful thing!