Dearest Pookie,
Here you are, in the thick of your teenager/teenajerk years, and as much as I can't wait until the eye rolls and sass finally cease, overall I am just so very proud of you, of how you move through the world. Your generosity, your humor, your dedication, your sense of responsibility to be a good person. I love every aspect of you - the good and the slightly more frustrating make you exactly who you are, and I just think you are the cat's pajamas.
Current favorites:
Hanging out with your friends and endless hours of videochats with them, doing well in school, traveling, going shopping, fun snacks, watching our tv shows together on the couch (currents: The Pitt, The Rookie and Ted Lasso), doing your hair and eyelashes, hanging out with your sister when she's not driving you crazy, laughing with me and papà when we're not driving you crazy, new phone covers, fake nails, fun school supplies, gelato, afternoons in the center with your friends.
Current favorite at-home meals: fajitas, cheeseburgers
Current best friends: Sofia V., Marialuisa, Amira, Federico, Erik, Diego, Tommaso
Current favorite restaurant: Sun
Current favorite color: pastel pink
Current dislikes:
People treating you like a baby, your teachers telling you to chill out about your grades, anyone being condescending or patronizing, being asked to clean up, your sister being bossy, when I make meals you don't like (fish for example), not having down time, anything "cringe" - especially in public - going to the doctor and being sick, anyone fighting.
Sami, you are one of my favorite people on the planet and I am just so thankful that we have such a good relationship - despite these teenajerk times. I have learned so much from you these past 14 years. The joy you have brought to our lives since your arrival - that special twinkle in your eye and your dimples that you hate so much but that I love to pieces. You roll your eyes (surprise surprise) when I say it, but you are beautiful, inside and out, and I couldn't be prouder of the young woman you are becoming.
We love you and we are here with you by your side, always.
Love 💓
Mommy (and Papà and Sofi)
