9 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

After a short summer of hanging out with your cousin Darla, the two of you now begin 4th grade together. But this time, you will be in separate classrooms, unlike last year when you were still a new student here.

But you are smart, confident, and friendly; so I know when you will easily make friends in your 4th grade class. Perhaps there will be new students who you help welcome to the school, now that you are settled in.

Though you won’t have your cousin right next to you the whole time this year, she’ll still be in the same hall; the classroom next to yours, actually.

I loved 4th grade! I think you will too.

Love,

Daddy