As I sit and write this, you have two more weeks of being 13 years old. I’ll post this on my blog on your actual birthday, but two weeks ago I sat on my bed and thought about the last 50 weeks of your life.

Thirteen is universally regarded as a tough age, your body changes, your voice goes a bit weird and friendships and relationships can become more complex.

Physically you’re tall, strong and muscular for a young teen. You tower above your friends and most of your family. You’re growing into a fine looking young man and you’ve more or less mastered regular washing and daily deodorant, for which we are all grateful. I wish you’d get into the same daily habits with your homework, but there’s still some time.

For Christmas you got an electric shaver, because your moustache game is strong and you’re now enjoying, or not particularly enjoying a weekly shave. it often feels like every time I look at you, your features change a little, you’ve grown a bit more, or you’ve discovered some previously untapped wisdom.

Looking back, 2023/2024 has been a fun 12 months. You’ve been on a good selection of holidays, including the school trip to France, you’ve been to Devon, Scotland and Wales a massive six times. You’ve been on Scout camps, a heap of train days out, and other adventures galore.

You’ve developed a love of sports, and we’ve been to watch rugby matches, cricket, and ice hockey, you love basketball and all kinds of weird and wonderful sports, but rugby is your most favourite. As you read this, you’ll be fresh home from a surprise weekend in Cardiff, where you watched the Wales v Fiji Rugby match.

It’s hard to talk about the last year without acknowledging all the changes in our little lives. It’s been a difficult 12 months at home, with divorce, an imminent house move and ill health affecting our family, you’ve heard a lot of hard news and dealt with all of the changes beautifully. Everything in your life changing at the same time is difficult enough when you’re a fully fledged adult, never mind when you’re a teenager, but you just seem to be absolutely fine with everything, and I really admire how you’re handling things.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch you grow and change, and to be by your side throughout the last 12 months. You are genuinely hilarious, cheeky, clever, and occasionally very wise. You see the world in different ways to me, and I really appreciate the different perspectives you bring.

I love the way you bring me into your world, and together we’re exploring things I’d never have even looked at before. Our train adventures are brilliant fun, whether it’s just nipping up to Manchester Airport, or surprising you with a long distance trip to Edinburgh, your enthusiasm is infectious and I thank you for bringing such light into my life.

Benjamin, you are the very best human I know. I hope the next 52 weeks are more settled for you, and I hope you continue to find your stride as you move closer to adulthood. I hope you have the confidence to believe in yourself and what you do and to the best you can be in all things. I never ask for perfection, I only ask that you try as much as you’re able and to be open minded about everything.

To my best boy, happy 14th birthday. I love you to the moon and the stars and the planets and back!

Mama xx