Oliver is 13

We have entered a new phase in the Hess House. Teenagers.

Gone are the days of Paw Patrol and Thomas the Tank Engine. Ollie is 13 now and a new season is on the horizon. Now don’t get me wrong. The caterpillar hasn’t turned into a butterfly yet. There are still glimpses of childhood. On a recent family trip, Ollie picked out a tadpole stuffed animal. Yes, 13 year old boys can still have stuffed animals in their bed at night. So yes, still a little boy at times. But whether the analogy is caterpillar to butterfly or tadpole to frog, each part of the journey offers the promise of new and change, but also, glimpses of the past.

This time of year always makes me reflective as our birthdays are only two days apart. As I get older, so does Ollie. Funny how that works, right? And for me, as I turn 44, 13 feels like a long time ago, but it also feels like yesterday. Just two short years after my 13th birthday I met a girl named Melissa and the rest is history as they say.

But enough about me. I’m writing this at Ollie’s Monday night soccer practice and that is just one area where we’ve been able to see Ollie grow. He’s a great leader on the field and his coaches often comment on his positive attitude and how he doesn’t let the little things get him down. I could learn a few things from Ollie. At school, Ollie works hard for his grades and is a great friend. I could learn a few things from Ollie. At church, he likes to get there early and he’s the last one ready to leave. I could learn a few things from Ollie. He’s funny. He’s smart. He’s playful. He’s generous. He’s a hard worker. He loves life.

Happy Birthday Oliver James!

Next
Next

Awesome Beach Vacation 2025