Noah is 14

Having Halloween fall on a Friday this year made Noah’s 14th birthday weekend even more fun. His friends walked home with him after school, and the house was instantly filled with laughter, snacks, and the kind of energy only a group of teenage boys can bring. They stayed up late, and the next morning we celebrated with birthday donuts—because that’s the best kind of breakfast when you’re 14!

Noah had one big birthday wish this year: an electric guitar. We decided to let him open his gifts in the morning so he could spend the whole day playing. The look on his face when he unwrapped it was pure joy—and the sound of him strumming away all day was pretty great, too.

After church, we took him out for his favorite meal: cheeseburgers at Buffalo Wild Wings. Then it was off to Rachael’s house for card games and some friendly competition between him and Sam and the Nintendo.

It was such a simple, happy day—full of friends, food, music, and laughter. Watching Noah surrounded by people who love him, guitar in hand and grin on his face, was the best gift of all for us. We just love that boy so much and couldn’t be prouder of the young man he’s becoming.