My sweet Owen,
The first half of your 10th year was one of my favorites stages of your childhood. You leaned into who you are, worked hard to achieve your goals and continued to develop your leadership skills.
There were these magical months where you were living out the values we'd instilled in you. You made significant academic progress, stayed close with your core group of friends and excelled during the spring season of lacrosse. You gave 100% effort during every practice and were a leader on the team. One day you stayed home sick from school. Our rule is that if you don't go to school, you can't go to evening actives, either. That day you started feeling better in the afternoon and when I reminded you of the rule your response was; "being a leader is going to practice and showing up for your team whenever you can. And I can! I feel better." I really couldn't argue that. Just after the end of lacrosse season you signed up for the school geography bee and got second place. I will never forget how happy you were up on that stage when you realized it was just you and one other contestant remaining. The entire gym couldn't help but smile when you pumped your arms up in the air victoriously. You put a tremendous amount of effort into school and are self motivated to learn.
This summer you did a canoe and kayak camp that led to an invitation to join the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, you accepted with bounding enthusiasm. You also did a summer lacrosse league and an overnight lacrosse camp. After the spring season, summer league and camp you felt burned out with lacrosse and much more excited about the new and shiny canoe racing team.
In the fall you signed up for a select lacrosse team and promptly decided you hate the sport. There was fighting and arguing about going to practice every. single. Sunday. Daddy and I were a bit devastated because we thought you'd found a sport you truly love. After eight years playing soccer, it never truly clicked. But on the lacrosse field you were fully engaged, which lead us to go all in as a family. A first for the Rallos. The struggle of getting you to practice on Sunday nights was damaging to our relationship and your attitude was poor (on and off the field) for most of the season. We went to two tournaments in November and you enjoyed them some. It was a fun new experience for our family, feeling out the sports tournament vibe. We learned that playing a sport for one season, not the whole year, best suits you so I don't think select sports will become part of our regular routine anytime soon.
You struggle to find books you enjoy but love to read when you find something engaging. Katherine Applegate was your favorite author of the year but your favorite book was "Ground Zero" by Allen Gratz. You love historical fiction, just like me.
I can see the teenage changes happening in your brain with big emotions and a hard time regulating them in the moment. However, you are self reflective and always willing to apologize and recognize what you could have done differently when you're calm. As the first born you are accustomed to making decisions for our family and getting your way. Daddy and I have tried to make sure everyone in the family gets to choose at times, which is hard for you. Your relationship with your siblings has been a bit fraught, which was a tough realization. You're working on treating them with the same kindness and respect you do your friends to strengthen your bond.
You share your thoughts, feelings and emotions freely, for which I'm incredibly grateful. There was a big parenting moment for me this year in which you asked about a particularly horrible word. It was painful for me to say out loud and explain the meaning but I want you to know you can always come to me if you have questions. I'll always tell you the truth.
At the end of your birthday you laid in bed and cried because it felt like any other day. You vocalized that you appreciated the things we did for you to make it special but you still had to go to school and the rose colored glasses that shade such days as a small child are fading. I remember feeling that way about Christmas in junior high. These are the seemingly unfair realities of crossing the threshold into adolescence.
You feel strongly that kids your age should not have cell phones and possess no desire to be on social media. You still love being outside-- hiking, swimming, skiing, riding bikes, throwing around a ball. You learned to wake board this summer and absolutely loved it. You've started collecting baseball cards and going to a Mariner's Game was a highlight of your year. Your fierce dedication to family remains.
My love and pride in who you are is unfaltering. Our family is a space to learn, grow and make mistakes so that when you go out into the world you can bring the best version of yourself, which you consistently do. You are a kind, respectful kid who deeply trusts himself. I love spending time with you and am so proud of you. You're an incredible human and I'm so glad that you're mine.
xoxo,
Your Loving Mama
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