19-years-old

 

Well here we are again, another year has flown by.  Caitlyn is in her last year of her teens, that is crazy. She is a few weeks away from finishing her first year of college.  This year has been a wild one for Caitlyn.  She has had some of her highest highs and some of her lowest lows. 

Her break up, mixed in with leaving her job (where she feels at home and successful) and moving away from home made for the perfect storm and some very scary, dark times for Caitlyn. She couldn't sleep and had constant panic attacks and was depressed on top of all of that.  Poor girl, it was so hard to send her away knowing how much she was struggling. 

Caitlyn is a fighter and she fought through all of that and kept going when she didn't want to.  She went to lots of doctors and counselors until we found a good fit and that is so hard to do when you are struggling.  I'm so proud of her for sticking with her plan to go to SUU, even though it would have been so much easier to stay home and work and stay where she was comfortable. Anxiety tries to stop you from doing normal every day things, but it really tries to stop you from doing anything scary or new.  I'm so impressed with Caitlyn's desire and ability to do the hard things even when she is overcome with anxiety. 

She has had a lot of hard times at college, but she has had a lot of great times too.  She has made great friends and had a lot of fun experiencing new things.  She loves being on her own and she loves having roommates who are always up for an adventure. 

Caitlyn is so good at being there for other people.  She has a lot of friends that call her when they are struggling. They know that she will be there for them anytime. I worry sometimes because I don't want her to take on everyone's problems, but that is where she thrives. She is so empathetic and kind and wants everyone to feel loved.  She is so good at seeing a need in someone and filling that need.  She doesn't have to be asked, she just does it because she loves people. 

College has been a lot harder for Caitlyn than she expected.  She has always been a great student and willing to work hard, but she has some hard classes and has quizzes or tests every week. All of the memorization in Medical Anatomy has her wanting to switch her major a lot! She loves the class and thinks it's very interesting, but she hates all of the memorization. 

Caitlyn is hilarious.  She loves to laugh and have fun.  People love to be around her because she makes everything fun.  She has a great sense of humor and will laugh at everyone's jokes. She always has a funny comment to add in and it's usually in a funny accent. 

Caitlyn loves to give compliments.  She gives very genuine compliments that make people feel so loved.  She has been so sweet to me and sends me quotes all the time about good moms and tells me how grateful she is for me. That means so much to me. 

Caitlyn is trying to find a balance of not stressing over everything and pushing herself.  I told her that is a life long struggle.  She is very wise for her age and always has great insights and thoughts. 

Caitlyn loves to go for drives and sing along to her music. I'm so glad she bought my parents car, she loves her car!  She loves escape rooms and axe throwing.  She loves to shop and buy cute clothes and decorations for her room. She is excited for summer break, but sad to leave her friends.  Especially Anna, she is going on a mission this summer so she won't be back in the Fall.  Caitlyn is going to miss her so much.  She is excited to go back to work at Chick-Fil-A this summer.  She loves the job and the people there so much. 

Caitlyn is just a beautiful person inside and out, she radiates kindness and acceptance.  It's so fun to watch her create a beautiful life for herself. We love you Caitlyn and we are so grateful to be your parents.