I am still shocked that my little girl is 12. It seems like just yesterday I was holding her for the first time and now she is becoming a young lady. Yesterday, for he birthday we went and saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince then we went to Pizza Rustica for dinner.

I love being able to take my daughter out on dates and we don’t do it as often as I would like. However, I take advantage of every opportunity to do it when I can.

It is fun to think about how our relationship has changed over the years. When she was a baby I told people that I couldn’t wait until she was a teenager and most people looked at me like I was nuts. (I am!) What most people don’t understand is that I know how to relate to teenagers, because that is what I do for a living. I enjoy spending time with them and investing in their lives. I don’t get children but I love people who work with children, because I know how hard it is. So for me I am enjoying seeing her become a teenager and I am loving being able to talk with her about life.

It is neat to think about the possibility of getting back into my career as a youth pastor at the same time that my daughter will be moving into the youth group. I know it won’t be easy for either one of us, but I am excited for it to happen and see where God takes it.

I am so proud of my daughter and I know that she will grow up to be an amazing women just like her mom. But boys be warned, because she is my pride and joy.