13 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I drove you to your first day of 8th grade this week, I reminded you:

Eight grade was one of my favorite years of being in school.

I loved being able to go to the orientation with you and see so many of the people I grew up with, who are A) teachers at the middle school now or B) have kids your age who are at the middle school with you.

Fortunately, you already know some of the boys from church; so you’re not completely “the new kid” who doesn’t no anyone yet.

Not to mention, your cousin Calla is there alongside you, since she is the same age.

And if nothing else, you definitely have the coolest boy perm in the entire 8 grade.

So at least you’ve got that going for you.

Love,

Daddy