Henry has always had a way of seeming older than his years. It’s his wit, mostly. He’s quick with a clever comeback, has a great sense of humor, and can make us laugh when we least expect it. He’s funny, kind, and incredibly smart. He also has a strong will, which means he knows what he thinks and isn’t always easily persuaded otherwise. Let’s just say he keeps us on our toes!
Henry has already visited more than 60 countries, and adventure has become a pretty normal part of his life. He’s usually up for trying most things, whether that means exploring somewhere new, learning a new skill, or throwing himself into an experience he hasn’t had before.
By the time he was 12, Henry had earned his advanced scuba certification. He is like a fish in the water. He also loves skiing and enjoys working out. He likes being active, challenging himself, and finding new things master. When something catches his attention, he dives into it with great enthusiasm.
Henry has always had a natural leadership quality. He’s comfortable taking the lead. He’s a great mentor and has a knack for helping younger children feel included and capable. Leadership isn’t just about being the loudest person in the room or having the best ideas. It’s also about being someone others can count on, and we see that side of Henry more and more as he gets older. His strong will can certainly make life interesting, but I also think it’s part of what will serve him well. He has his own ideas, he likes to figure things out for himself, and he doesn’t automatically follow the crowd. We hope he continues to pair that independence with the kindness and thoughtfulness that are already such a big part of who he is.
Henry has always loved stories, but calling him a reader doesn’t quite capture it. He devours audiobooks. He can work his way through an astonishing number of them, disappearing into different worlds and stories while the rest of us are still deciding what to listen to next. When he’s not listening to a book, there’s a good chance he’s playing Minecraft or Roblox online with his friends. Those games are about more than just playing for him. They’re a way to create, problem-solve, collaborate, and spend time with friends no matter where in the world we happen to be.
He also loves Dungeons & Dragons, and he recently got the opportunity to be a Dungeon Master for the first time. He really enjoyed it! For anyone unfamiliar with D&D, the Dungeon Master helps guide the story, creates challenges, and keeps the adventure moving for everyone around the table. It requires imagination, quick thinking, and the ability to manage a whole group of players. Seeing Henry step into that role felt like a natural fit. He has a creative mind, a sharp sense of humor, and the confidence to take charge of an adventure. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of that from him.
And then there’s chess.
Henry’s latest obsession has been chess, and he’s really good. When something captures his interest, he devotes an extraordinary amount of attention to it, and chess has clearly become one of those things. He’s even had the opportunity to learn from a grandmaster in Tbilisi, Georgia. Chess requires patience, strategy, pattern recognition, and the ability to think several moves ahead. It’s been fun watching him develop his skills and seeing how seriously he’s taken this new interest.
Of course, we’ve learned by now that Henry’s interests can evolve quickly. Today it’s chess, tomorrow it might be something completely different. But whether this becomes a lifelong passion or one of many fascinating chapters, I love watching him challenge himself and discover what he can do.
Earlier this year, Henry finished his Invisalign treatment, and I was especially proud of how responsible he was throughout the process. I never had to remind him to wear his trays. Anyone who has managed a teenager’s schedule knows that this is no small accomplishment! It was such a simple but meaningful reminder that Henry can be trusted to take responsibility for something important to him. He made it his job, and he followed through.
Looking back over the past year, Henry has also gone through a pretty dramatic transformation. It’s been one of those periods when you look at your child and suddenly realize just how much has changed. He’s growing into himself, discovering new interests, developing new skills, and becoming more independent. The changes aren’t just about getting older. They’re about seeing more of the person he’s becoming.
Fourteen feels like an exciting age for Henry. He has so many interests, so much curiosity, and a willingness to explore the world that makes it hard to predict where he’ll go next. Maybe he’ll keep climbing the chess ranks. Maybe he’ll spend more time behind the Dungeon Master screen. Maybe a completely new obsession will appear next week, and we’ll all be learning about it before we know it. Whatever comes next, we hope he keeps his sense of humor, his kind heart, his curiosity, and his willingness to try new or unfamiliar things. We hope he continues to be the person younger kids look up to, while also remembering that he doesn’t have to have everything figured out just because he sometimes seems older than he is.
Most of all, we hope he knows how much we love watching him grow into himself.
Henry, you are funny, clever, determined, thoughtful, and full of surprises. You have a way of seeing the world that is entirely your own, and life with you is never boring.
We’re so proud of the person you are today, and we can’t wait to see what this next year brings.
Happy 14th birthday, Henry! Here’s to another year of adventures, new obsessions, unexpected achievements, and plenty of laughs along the way.
