Dear son, you are 16 today.

16! It is a significant number in many ways and like with the past few years, an acute reminder that we have a third adult in the house versus the little boy who used to run around in diapers and insist that I lift him up on demand.

As a family, we spent much of this past year still adjusting to not having my dad, your grandfather around. While it has been 15 months since he passed away, it still seems like yesterday and last year was a lot of getting used to it. As you continued to make strides in your classical music journey, we all miss your biggest fan and supporter. Your music continues to be a regular reminder of the memories I shared with him growing up.

We also welcomed the newest member of our family last year with Maggi, our darling Bernedoodle. Maggi has transformed all our lives in ways we never imagined. And nothing is more reaffirming of the love a dog brings to a household than seeing how much she adores you. From the time she sees you coming out of the bedroom in the morning to when you come back from school and later before going to bed, her overwhelming affection for you is just a joy to behold. And as her elder brother, you have welcomed her not just with open arms but also her favorite face to lick everyday.

You have grown as a person. Physically, yes, you are much taller than your mother and I but also in starting to think about your future. From marine biologist to quantum physicist to chemist to now, surprise, a software engineer, you have slowly but steadily calibrated your interests with your strengths. The next year is going to be crazy but it is starting to feel like you have a better handle on it than the year before.

You continue to be the joker in the house. From your quirky dress choices, from the signature mask to the hoodie, your John Wick obsession, to your actions and zany humor, you light up the living room, when you actually make time to step out of your cave that is your bedroom/study.

Your mother and I, we have our arguments with you like every parent with their teenager. But suffice to say, we adore you and love you more than anyone else (ok, maybe Maggi gets just as much love :)) and wish you all the success in everything you aspire to do.

Happy birthday bruh!

Appa