Happy Sweet 16 to Marin

What a day, what a day... 16 years ago little Marin Elise was born to two first-time parents, who had planned and prepared and delighted in her arrival. She was then, and is still now, an enormous blessing to all of us. This year on Jan 16th, we celebrated her golden birthday. Oh the plans we made! A fancy dinner to her favorite gluten free sushi restaurant downtown, a pottery painting party with her closest friends. Unfortunately, after two years of successfully dodging it, COVID hit her brothers the morning of her special birthday weekend. This sad turn of events kicked off four weeks of COVID moving through all the members of our household, Marin being the only asymptomatic one of everyone. Ironically, this healthy girl maintained the best, most resilient, optimistic and grateful attitude through it all. Not once did she complain that her plans were ruined, or feel sorry for herself. Honestly, nobody would have blamed her if she did. But, after two years of constantly changing plans, she has learned to pivot. And, of course the special plans were not cancelled, but postponed. She got her fancy dinner, her time with friends, and you know we spoiled her rotten the best we could from home during our time in quarantine too! Lots of food cooked and presents given! Several of my friends even delivered her flowers and gifts on the doorstep. the morning of her birthday. 

What matters most to me on birthdays is that people feel special and loved. Marin is so special, and so loved. She is talented beyond belief in so many areas, but goes through life humbly and with a no-nonsense attitude. She works so hard, and she has such a positive spirit. She gives her sister a listening ear, solid advice, and a safe place to be crazy together. She shares with her brother her love of fantasy fiction and Japanese anime. She shares with her littlest brother the encouragement to overcome school stress (and doesn't feel embarrassed if they show up in matching shirts somewhere). She shares her newfound academic knowledge with her parents, and regularly invites us into her creative world of drawings and stories. She is a delight through and through. We love you Marin! You are our joy!