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Posted By Katie On August 20, 2015 4 Comments

He’s an adult now…Happy Birthday Hunter!

Filed Under: Family Values 4 Comments

 

Today our son is 18 years old. He’s technically a legal adult and told his sisters this morning he can buy a lottery ticket today and gets to vote this fall. Oh, the freedoms! It’s a day to remember, celebrate and be thankful I get to be to his mom. 18 years ago today changed my life for the better. It’s half my life ago now. I was only his age when I became his mother and I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for Hunter James being my son.

In the coming months of his senior year of high school, I am going to share and write more about Hunter. Purposefully, I haven’t shared as much over the past few years. He is one of my social media rules: I don’t share a lot about our teenager because I am grateful my mom didn’t have a blog when I was a teenager.

Being a teenager is difficult and challenging and I don’t document those daily moments. I share some of Hunter’s highlight reel moments, his work towards successes and wins. We are proud of him. But what we are most proud of has nothing to do with accolades, awards or wins. 

Hunter’s character, living out his Christian faith and his ability to persevere through pivotal moments makes us most proud. 
The Pinke PostA few other top of mind thoughts I have today while cooking in my kitchen include if you are a parent of younger children, it goes faster than everyone tells you. No matter how you try, life keeps moving faster with each year.
hunter katie wedding duoMy advice is create moments and memories with your kids. Document the moment with a quick picture whether they want to or not. 
The Pinke PostWe cannot get the moments back but they build relationships and treasured memories. 
The Pinke PostHunter was ten years old when Elizabeth was born and almost twelve when his sister Anika was born. His kindness and love he shows them is also something I am proud of. 

Hunter cares about people. He shows that at home, on the field, on the court, in church and in school.
The Pinke Post Hunter is also a competitor. He’s fierce and wants to win. I often say it’s not a trait you can coach or parent into a child. Either they have it or they don’t. Hunter has fire and it’s thrilling to watch and difficult with disappointments.The Pinke Post He also is well-rounded, far more than I ever was or will be. He loves music more than he wants to admit and has stuck with piano, trumpet and choir through school along with sports of football, basketball, track and baseball. One of his greatest joys of high school has been involvement in the Wishek FFA chapter.The Pinke PostHunter has dealt with loss in the past but this summer he has struggled with his greatest earthly loss in losing his best friend, Zach and Zach’s brother, Connor. It’s private and difficult. As he said to me this week, “I miss him more now than ever before. Everything reminds me of him.” Many family members and friends that long for Zach and Connor can relate. But we know for sure through our faith that Zach and Connor were Jesus loving boys who are now in heaven. It gives Hunter some peace on trying days.The Pinke PostI believe that Hunter, at age 18 and forevermore will do all that he can to live for the day and give glory to God. He’s changed from this summer. He’s stronger. He’s more secure in who he is and what he doesn’t need to try to be. His life perspective has matured. Despite all the hurt, he’s happy and excited for the future. 

In late July, Hunter committed to the University of North Dakota to play football beginning in the fall of 2016. This will open a new chapter and we are excited for him. Later this year I will share more about his decision and how it came about so we can look back someday on this and remember. 

For now, we are enjoying today. First we will celebrate over pizza with our family business employees where Hunter works. After football practice tonight, the Mustangs football team and coaches are coming to our house for a pasta supper. Tomorrow is their first game so it’s a pre-game meal and an easy way to have a birthday celebration for Hunter. I need to get cooking!

Happy Birthday, Hunter James. Thanks for making me a mom and for who you are. We love you.anika_BIRTHDAY_july0109 016

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Comments

  1. Phyllis Peterson says

    August 20, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    these babies grow up all too fast. Enjoy Hunters senior year.
    also he sounds like a well grounded guy..no wonder he makes you proud and happy.

    Reply
  2. Laura Beth says

    August 20, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    Hope he had a great birthday.
    Forgot to share with you: at Banquet in a field someone asked to get a photo with him and he goes ‘I’m use to it, I do share a home with The Katie Pinke – social media queen’ – may not be a direct quote but something like that and I had to laugh!!

    Reply
  3. Feisty Eats says

    August 20, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    What a sweet tribute to your young MAN and a great way to throw a birthday dinner.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Happy "Golden" Birthday, Hunter! - The Pinke Post says:
    August 19, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    […] I didn’t know it at the time as an 18-year-old new mother but Hunter was the first best decision of my life. I’ve told him that many times. He gave me purpose, a footing in life and direction when I needed it most. Now, it’s Hunter’s GOLDEN birthday, 20 on the 20th.  I’ve highlighted many moments of his life over the past ten years on this blog. But I often say, I’m thankful my mom didn’t have a blog when I was a teenager. It’s been a highlight reel. You see on the blog a boy who now has grown into a man. […]

    Reply

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I am a mom of three kids and a wife to Nathan. Together we live on the North Dakota prairie, 97 miles from a Starbuck's. I share about family, food, farming and the prairie that I love. I used to commute 98 miles one-way to work but it required too much coffee. So now I am home, consulting, speaking, writing and primarily, juggling family life.
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