Soccer Birthday

In February we went to watch our friend's son, Jake, play soccer on his 18th birthday. It was a beautiful winter day and many of our friends gathered to support him. I'm not sure how Jake felt, having his mother, father, sister, and many of their friends and relatives all cheering him on (maybe a little louder than we needed to!), but we had a great time. He took it really well.

It has been a wonderful experience to raise kids with my friends. The "kids" range in age between 23 and 10, all 4-5 years apart. Toe is the youngest of the group and that has allowed me to watch my friends experience babies, elementary school, junior high, high school, puberty, graduation. I have learned so much watching my friends navigate the various parenting joys and pitfalls. The older kids have always been fantastic with Toe and although he doesn't have a built-in community of peers, he does have a built-in community of kids to look up to. He admires the other kids greatly.

Toe watches Jake tend goal

The community of support for our kids includes a variety of parents and non-parents, all who have invested time, energy, and love into their upbringing. We are so lucky to be able to share moments like this with friends, to celebrate this crazy life process with all of its twists and turns.