My daughter is 16 today. I'm 31.

[Magrittes Pipe]

No, I'm not one of those youth gone wild types... mom's older than me, and she's not my biological kid, but she's my kid nonetheless.

It's weird having a teenager when you're only 31. I mean, I'm sure it's weird having a teenager ANYWAY, but when you've only known them AS teenagers, it's doubly strange. Teens don't work right. They're broken. I mean, I was one once, and I was a fucking idiot. The way the emotions get all tangled up with facts and twist things around -- hell, I got that enough in my own old life, I sure as hell don't know how to deal with it when it's someone else's. :D

But it's good. I mean, it just is. She's really a wonderful girl. Yeah, she's 16 -- she fucks up sometimes, but who doesn't? She's smart, inquisitive, kind (most of the time ;)), beautiful, and talented.

I never wanted kids until I met dolo amber. As luck would have it, she had two, and I didn't have much choice. ;) But it's been the best thing ever to happen to me. I have a family. I come home and find my wife and my two lovely daughters there. It's the home I want, and it's because of all of them, as a group and as individuals.

Corinne's had a lot of living to do in those 16 years. She's had to move around a lot. It's got to be hard to be so young and not really have a firm place to stand, a real "home." But see, that's the plan now. Things are looking up. It looks like finally, things may be settling down to the point where in a couple of years she can face the world as an adult and say "this is who I am, and this is where I come from." And it's showing.

She's growing up. I can see the changes in the two years we've been a family. She's learning things and experiencing things, and growing wiser because of it. And she's shaping up to be a damn decent young woman. And if I don't say that enough, that's on me, not her.

So, dolo, make sure Rin reads this. I want her to know how much I love the girl she is, and respect the woman she's becoming. I got into this for you, and you know how I feel about you -- but the girls are every bit as responsible for the goodness in my life as you are, and they need to know that, even if I'm not as good at expressing it when they're being annoying children. :P

Happy birthday, Rin. I love you.

And so does mom, even though she'd never say such a thing in public. ;)

[Cathyclysmic]

1. Who's that italian dude with the big wang?

:P


Happy Birthday Rin!!!!!

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. Happy Birthday to Corinne!

:party:

I have the same GIR shirt. :)

[johnnie]

3. Awww

:cry:

Very sweet, I need a tissue now.

Seriously, you're a good man Hedges.

Happy Birthday Rin! (Ya met me once) :hi:

[asthmaticeog]

9. Dude...

What up with needing a tissue? She's a freakin' KID. That's just messed up.

[Blue-Jay]

13. Man, don't do that when I'm drinking coffee.

:spray:

[johnnie]

18. You are one sick man

It took me a few minutes to figure out what you were talking about. But the tissue was for Hedges and Dolo.

[Magrittes Pipe]

19. Perv!

x(

[asthmaticeog]

20. Hey now, they may be a weird family,

but I think you've got the wrong idea about them, in a big way.

[johnnie]

23. I meant to use to wipe my tears

They are a beautiful family. You people are sick!

[asthmaticeog]

24. ...

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

On edit: :freak:

[johnnie]

25. Edit?

x(

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Dude. You absolutely rock. What a great tribute to your daughter.

Happy 16th, Corinne!

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. She is so very lucky to have you...

and, coming from a situation where MrG adopted my baby girl, I applauded you for not only being up to the task... but for enjoying the task itself. Men like you are sterling. Thank you for caring who... :hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Happy sweet sixteen, Corrine!!!

:party:

[asthmaticeog]

7. Happy B-Day, 'Rin!

:bounce:

Try not to be TOO emo today, it's a happy occasion! :P

[jpgray]

8. Happy 16th!

She's lucky to have such a great group of people for family. :thumbsup:

[Richardo]

10. Nice tribute, hedges.

Say hello to the cheesehead for us.

[Katina]

11. what a beautiful tribute to read

thank you for sharing that...and Happy Birthday to your daughter! :D

[Misunderestimator]

12. Happy Birthday Rin!

:toast: :party:

And Hedges... thanks for that beautiful post... nearly brought tears to my eyes. Nearly. :D

Beautiful pics!!

[Kellanved]

14. Nice tribute

Happy birthday to the young lady. Life for a teenager is tough, but I'm sure she's tougher.

[Magrittes Pipe]

15. She's gotta be.

Look at her parents. :rofl:

[auntAgonist]

16. Happy Sweet 16 Corinne!

What a wonderful 'birthday card' for your daughter. A great affirmation for your family. Do print it out and present it to Corinne, she can cherish it (and you) forever.

You are a very special father, one that's not afraid to love and show that love.


:applause:

:hug:

aA

[Blue-Jay]

17. I'm surprised she hasn't joined a cult yet.

Happy Birthday, Rin!

[dolo amber]

21. I took her breakfast in bed

I rule. :thumbsup:

[Magrittes Pipe]

22. She's eating UPSTAIRS?

:grr::spank:


;)

[LA lady]

26. Coincidence

My daughter turns 16 tomorrow....and I am 56!

I had her at 40 and she is a joy.
Hope yours has a wonderful birthday; mines getting an IPOD (don't tell!)

[sundog]

27. excellent

:pals:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear whoisalhedges!

This is just the most beautiful birthday tribute I have ever read!

Your daughter is one very lucky young lady..........


Happy Birthday, Corinne! :party:

[JitterbugPerfume]

29. you have a beautiful family

and you aint so bad yer own self :toast: happy birthday to your lovely daughter

[Magrittes Pipe]

30. Kick, you sodding buggers!

[Cannikin]

31. Happy birthdays!

:party:

[tigereye]

32. that's so sweet!

:thumbsup:

I'm happy for you guys!

[joneschick]

33. Happy Birthday Rin!

aren't parents just a hoot??? you do know you're blessed to have 'em right? At our house, a birthday is a darn good reason to make a run to Half Price Books.........

[dolo amber]

34. Dude...we *totally* were gonna go there today

:tinfoilhat:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

35. I always thought whoisalhedges was a lesbian.

:shrug: :evilgrin:
Very awesome post. Every girl that age needs people in her life who loves them unconditionally. And I didn't know Amber was so beautiful...and her daughters look just like her. Handsome family you have there, Al!
Duckie

[greatauntoftriplets]

37. Hedges a lesbian????

:rofl: I have had the privilege of meeting the author of this lovely tribute. Twice.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

38. I just remember back in the day when he wouldn't reveal his gender.

Then I remember something about him being a her and into girls. Maybe I just imagined it. :shrug:
Duckie

[bigwillq]

36. Happy Birthday Corinne!

:toast: :party: :bounce: