Johnathan at 22

My second son happens to be living at home right now, so we had the opportunity today to celebrate his birthday with him. We pulled out all the stops for dinner and had grilled porterhouse steaks, corn on the cob, grilled zucchini, bread and my pal's outstanding homemade pesto. What a meal. I'm nearly asleep as I try to digest. While we take a break and get ready for cake and candles, Johnathan is allowing me to interview him.

Me: How was your day?
J: It was busy.
Me: In a good way?
J: Yeah, I never regret being busy. I was getting ready for Jorge to come from Spain. It was also fun to be able to give people gifts on my birthday as I delivered my presents from Spain.
Me: What do you see happening for you in the next year?
J: I see myself living on my own, preparing to move on to the next phase of my life.  Sometime I want to get married a start a family, so I need to prepare for that to happen with work and education.
Me: What was something good that happened in the past year:
J: Returning home after serving an honorable full-time mission. When I say that, I'm also glad that I got home ready to keep going, knowing it was another beginning, not an end, and that I had put in my best efforts and worked my hardest.
Me: How do you most enjoy spending your free time right now:
J: In the company of friends with whom I have a lot in common.
Me: What's something you want the world to know about you right now?
J: That I'm secretly black. Just kidding. My real answer is that life is very good and that I'm enjoying it a lot.
Me: Anything else?
J: Nope.
Me: Happy Birthday!

Johnathan has always been a great person. I homeschooled him for 3 years and when he went back to school I genuinely missed having him around. He has a pleasant, kind personality, and he is one of the hardest working people I've ever met. He has a wicked sense of humor and likes to look for the positive aspects of every situation.

I'm thrilled at what a great person he's grown into and can't wait to see what life brings for him.