Filmmaker in progress. Street photographer with an eye for the moment. Fifteen years in, and this one's for you: a letter and a list of gems, one from each of us, on everything we hope you carry with you.
Fifteen things I want you to know at 15
Rocco (my baby),
Today you are 15. I don't know how that is possible.
It feels like yesterday I was holding my baby, wondering who you would become. And now I look at you and see this incredible young man standing in front of me, walking into a new school, stepping onto a football field, discovering new gifts, forming new friendships, finding your voice, and becoming more and more of the person God created you to be.
If I'm honest, my heart is a little overwhelmed.
I'm proud of you. I'm excited for you. I'm super emotional watching you grow. And, yes, a tiny part of me wishes I could slow time down just a little. Ok, a big part of me…LOL!
But more than anything, I want you to know this:
It is one of the GREATEST honors of my life to be your mom.
So on your 15th birthday, there are 15 things I want you to carry with you (with tears in my eyes as I write…ok, here we go):
Before your dad and I ever knew your name, God knew you. You were never an accident or an afterthought. You were God's planned idea. And because He thought of you first, I believe there is purpose attached to your life that is bigger than anything you can see right now. Never forget: you are here on purpose, for a purpose.
Your brain. Your heart. Your creativity. Your compassion. Your imagination. Your sensitivity. Your humor. God was intentional when He made you. So don't spend your life trying to become somebody else. Discover who God created you to be, and give Him every part of you. There is purpose woven into you.
I was scared when I became your mom. I didn't know if I would be good enough. And then you came. Even as a baby, there was something about your spirit that helped me. You made me feel like I could do this. You were my first little teacher. You taught me patience, tenderness, and a kind of love I didn't know existed. You didn't just make me a mom. You helped me BECOME one. And being your mommy has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Your mind goes places that amaze me. You imagine. You create. You see possibilities. So don't ever shrink your imagination because something seems impossible. Try things. Make things. Dream big. There is so much inside of you that you haven't even discovered yet. I truly believe there are things you will do that you can't even imagine at 15. You are limitless.
Rocco, you remember everything! Little moments. Childhood memories. Things you experienced years ago that I didn't even realize you noticed. And I love that about you. It tells me that you understand something beautiful: Life is made of moments. Never be too busy chasing what's next to appreciate what has already been. Keep the memories. Tell the stories. Love your people deeply.
Watching you grow has taught me that I can't control everything. I can't always protect you. I can't make every decision for you. I can't walk every road for you. So I have to trust God with you. And one day, you'll have to learn the same lesson. You won't always understand what God is doing, but you can ALWAYS trust who He is.
Tomorrow you walk into a new school. And I want you to know that you're not walking in alone. Your dad and I won't be able to see everything or be everywhere, but God can. He sees you when we can't. He knows you when nobody else understands you. So walk confidently. You are covered on every side!
Rocco, what you have to say matters, like FOR REAL. Your voice can encourage someone, speak truth, make someone laugh, or stand up for someone who can't stand up for themselves. Never confuse being kind with being silent. Be respectful. Be courageous. Be wise. God gave you a voice. Use it for good.
I don't just love you because you're my son. I respect you. I respect your heart. Your mind. Your compassion. Your character. You're still growing, still learning, and still making mistakes…and that's okay. But I see the young man emerging underneath the boy I once held in my arms. And I am so proud of him. Whew…the tears won't stop flowing as I write this…you REALLY have captured my heart son.
There is something about watching you dance and hearing you sing that makes my heart smile. Because when you do those things, I see you. Free. Creative. Joyful. Please don't let growing older make you afraid to be yourself. Don't become too cool to dance. Don't become too self-conscious to sing. Stay free. Stay joyful. Stay Rocco.
Don't wait until you're older to become who God called you to be. Leadership isn't marked by age. It's marked by character, courage, humility, and God's hand on your life. People are already watching you. So don't be afraid to lead. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room. You just have to be willing to stand where God places you and be faithful. Leadership is already in you.
Rocco… 😂 Your humor is a gift. You have this incredible ability to change the atmosphere of a room. And I hope you never lose that. Life can be heavy. People can be hurting. Sometimes laughter is exactly what a person needs. Your joy is a gift. And some of my favorite memories are the moments when you had me laughing until I couldn't breathe. 😂❤️
Your ability to remember things amazes me. So be intentional about what you put into that incredible brain of yours. Read. Learn. Ask questions. Listen to wisdom. Study the things that interest you. Fill your mind with the good stuff. You have an amazing capacity to learn, and I can't wait to see what happens when you keep feeding that gift.
Eric and Nyla are strong, dynamic, amazing little people and they are so fortunate to have you as their big brother. You don't have to be perfect for them. You don't have to have all the answers. But you have something they will always be watching: your example. They will remember how you treated people. How you handled pressure. How you loved God. How you treated your family. How you carried yourself when nobody was telling you what to do. You have the ability to lead them simply by being Rocco. So love them. Encourage them. Protect their hearts. Laugh with them. And when you can, show them what it looks like to be a young man who knows who he is. They don't just need a big brother. They need someone worth looking up to. And you are that for them. You all have the same blood, stay close and stick together.
You don't have to have your whole life figured out at 15. You don't have to impress everybody. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to prove your worth. Just be. Be Rocco. Learn. Grow. Dream. Play football. Dance. Build Lego sets. Sing. Create. Laugh. Make mistakes. Make memories. Love people. Love God. And when life gets loud and starts telling you that you need to be more, remember: you are already enough.
Rocco, fifteen years ago, God trusted your dad and me with you. We don't take that assignment lightly. But we also know that ultimately, you belong to Him. So today, we're not just celebrating the little boy you have been. We're celebrating the young man you are becoming. Part of my heart wants to hold onto my little boy forever, but I'm learning that loving you means allowing you to grow.
So go, my baby!!!
Walk into that new school. Walk onto that football field. Walk into every room God opens for you. And never forget that there is a mama watching you with tears in her eyes and joy in her heart, thanking God that you chose me to be your mommy. I am so proud of you. I love you more than words could ever hold.
And if you ever forget who you are, come back and read this letter. Then remember:
Happy 15th birthday, my beautiful boy.
Forever my baby. Forever my joy. Forever one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Fifteen things to carry with you
Rocco, fifteen isn't just a number. It's the start of a different kind of respect. Here are fifteen things I want you to carry with you, on and off the field, behind the camera and in front of people. Read them again when you need to.
Your word is your bond, but also, every man has the right to change his mind.
You get what you negotiate, but also, never be the first to say a number.
Love God, but also, love yourself.
Any job great or small, do it well or not at all. Also, be careful before you agree to a job.
Never over promise, but also, always over deliver.
Where mediocrity is tolerated, excellence is never appreciated.
To be early is to be on time, but to be late is to be disrespectful.
Give yourself the benefit of rest, but also, don't be lazy.
Grow to your highest potential but also, don't do too much.
Learn when to speak up for yourself, but also, learn to listen up when the wise speak.
It's great to have the answers, but it's better to ask the right questions.
It's easy to look rich, but it's impossible to look wealthy.
Some things are taught, while others are caught.
Give yourself the grace to make mistakes, but never make the same mistake twice.
Your circle can push you up or pull you down, so choose your friends slowly and carefully.
Happy 15th birthday, son. Proud of who you are and who you're becoming. Keep shooting, keep editing, keep leading.
Street photography, edits, and everything Rocco's putting out into the world. Follow him here.