8th Grade: The Year I Saw Who You Are Becoming

We could trace this all the way back to the day you were born, but, lets pick up three years ago, the start of middle school.

I remember walking you into your first day of middle school, wondering who had more anxiety, you or me.

I hated middle school. I went to a Catholic school, started in 6th grade brand new, and knew no one. Those years left a mark on me. In a lot of ways, they are exactly why I started Rooted. I promised myself that whether I had kids or not, I would never stand by and watch another child feel like they were drowning in the chaos that can be middle school.

Because those years matter, now and later.

I do believe there’s a difference in raising boys and girls, and how those middle school years can shape you or try to break you. For me, they broke me… and then, eventually, they shaped me.

So, with you and your sisters, I’ve always just wanted one thing:
To remind you that we are in it together.

I will always have your back.

Even when you’re wrong. Even when you make mistakes. You may not always like how I have your back but I will always guide you toward accountability, for yourself and for others. I will trust you. I will stand with you.

And wow… have we ridden the waves of middle school.

You are more than I ever imagined a young man finishing middle school and stepping into high school with a quiet strength that’s hard to put into words.

You are self-aware. You are kind. You read the room.
You notice the ones who feel unseen.

You drop a one-liner at just the right moment to make someone smile and I sit back, watching it all unfold faster than I’m ready for.

I’ve watched you:

Make new friends
Try new things
Push through when things didn’t come easy

You rode the bench your entire 6th grade year in basketball. And then, you decided. No one told you what you could or couldn’t do. You got up, you practiced, you learned how to lose, and more importantly, you learned how to keep showing up.

And then you started every game in 7th and 8th grade.

You did that.

You learned how to compete hard and still carry yourself with character understanding that who you are matters more than what the scoreboard says.

You stepped into a goalie position for a soccer team when it wasn’t even “your thing” and still kept trying.

You saw a girl in your class, one who reminded me so much of myself at that age, and you made her feel seen. I watched it from the sidelines, and in that moment, I knew… you were going to be okay.

You’ve committed to travel sports teams and the discipline that comes with it.
You don’t complain, you just show up.

Again, and again.

You are firm in your faith, yet gentle in all the ways that matter.

I watched you go through your first heartbreak. You didn’t speak poorly. You didn’t lash out. You let others say what they would, and you chose a different path.

You leaned into your dad, into me, into your faith.

You waited.
You listened.
You talked when you needed to.

And somehow, you came out the other side seeing it not as rejection, but as protection.

That takes strength.

Real strength.

And now… 8th grade is coming to a close. Fast.

It’s a strange place to be as a parent, holding both grief and excitement at the same time. Wanting to keep you right here a little longer… while also wanting to watch you go and become everything you’re meant to be.

We’ve done our best to give you the tools:
Self-awareness
Integrity
Accountability
Respect

And now, it’s your turn.

Keep showing up.
Keep trying.
Keep being exactly who you are.

We’ll be right here, cheering you on.

The memories have been worth every lesson.
Together, we can step into the next chapter.