The last three months of my pregnancy were spent in bed, with two
hospital stays just in case you decided to arrive early. Every day, I talked to
you, reassuring you that you could take your time. The world outside was
marvellous, but there was no rush.
Fortunately, you listened and were born on March 6, 1995. From the
moment you came home, you became the shining star of our family.
In celebration of your 30th birthday, I am writing down a
list of “30 Things I Love About You...”. (The list is written in no chronological
order.)
1. Your ability to defy gravity
As a child, you could jump into the water without getting your face wet.
The moment your feet touched the surface; you’d do this incredible kick that
kept your head bobbing above the water.
2.
Your talent for languages
Raising a multilingual child comes with worries—are we doing it right?
But with you, it became immediately clear that we were on the right track.
Whether it was the classic "furious fours" temper tantrum you threw
on a flight to Montreal—perfectly expressing your discontent in both English
and German—or your insistence on playing "Grandma and Me at the
Beach" in Japanese, you never gave us reason to doubt your linguistic
abilities. And let’s not forget your obsession with Gloria Estefan’s Spanish
music videos!
3.
Your love of children's books and audiobooks
It takes a special child to truly feel the magic of stories. There were
so many books that shaped you, but a few stand out: Winnie the Pooh, Sleeping
Dragons Everywhere, Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer, Käpt’n
Blaubär, Bibi Blocksberg, TKKG, Die Drei???, and A
Series of Unfortunate Events.
4.
Your ability to keep us on schedule
Ever since you were little—and even now—no one gets the family dressed
and out the door as efficiently as you do.
5.
Your talent for organizing people
This goes beyond getting us out the door on time. Since grade school,
you’ve had an innate ability to bring people together, making them feel like
joining in some project as if it was entirely their idea.
6.
Your bathroom concerts
Whenever you were in the bathroom—whether to pee or to primp—you always
sang a song.
7.
Your gift for friendship
As a child, you didn’t always choose the best friends (that is, except for Pia, of course). Not that they were bad people, but they weren’t always kind to you. I remember a conversation we had before you left for Edinburgh, when you told me you were going to take your time finding friends. That made me so happy, for right from the beginning, you’ve always believed that friendships were something forever.
As a child, you didn’t always choose the best friends (that is, except for Pia, of course). Not that they were bad people, but they weren’t always kind to you. I remember a conversation we had before you left for Edinburgh, when you told me you were going to take your time finding friends. That made me so happy, for right from the beginning, you’ve always believed that friendships were something forever.
You
inherently knew that friends weave different colours into the tapestry of your
life. You and Matthias have done something special over the last ten years—maintaining
individual friendships, shared friendships, and being a part of wonderful
dynamic groups of friends. In your short adult life, you have found a treasure trove
of friendships to brighten and enrich your world.
8.
Your distinct sense of fashion
“Keine Applikationen!” Oh, those early years—every shopping trip was a
battle of wills. You knew what you wanted, and if a store didn’t have it, we
moved on. At the time, it felt like torture, but now I admire your tenacity.
Even today, you can glance at a clothing rack and instantly know if
something suits your wardrobe, body type, and taste—almost like a superpower.
This seems to me to be a talent you got from some sort of alien. Though, most
probably, you sought out advice from friends and YouTubers over the years. You
certainly did not get it from our household of fashion-muggles.
9.
Your ability to laugh and cry in the same breath
I call this your Irish roots—one moment you’re laughing, caught up in
the beauty of connection, and the next, you’re teary-eyed, your face all wobbly
because you have to say goodbye. Or vice versa—you’d be crying in sadness,
anger, or fear, and some silly comment would make you laugh through the tears.
A doctor friend of mine says that this is why women live longer; we are able to
cry.
It certainly is the case with women living long on our side of the family.
10. Your beautiful singing voice
Even as a child, when most kids sing off-key, you always sang on pitch. Wouldn’t
it be lovely if you started singing again?
11.
Your big heart
Your heart is boundless, always extending kindness to those around you. Remember
Johanna showing up at our apartment every day before school because she was
scared to go alone and you patiently accompanying her—that was because of your
boundless kindness.
12.
Your willingness to give second (or third) chances
Your friendship with Jonas exemplifies this. He bullied you in the early years of high school. Maybe it was competitiveness—he wanted to be Mr. Cool, and you were Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes. He teased you relentlessly, made up silly poems about you, and was even involved in some questionable incidents. The worst? Holding you around the neck and swinging you around.
Your friendship with Jonas exemplifies this. He bullied you in the early years of high school. Maybe it was competitiveness—he wanted to be Mr. Cool, and you were Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes. He teased you relentlessly, made up silly poems about you, and was even involved in some questionable incidents. The worst? Holding you around the neck and swinging you around.
After that incident, I asked you if I could speak to your homeroom
teacher. You agreed. Ms. von Ameluxen handled the situation with care
and fairness, and Jonas changed overnight. By the time you played in Big Band
together, you were inseparable. You remain close to this day.
It took me longer to forgive his previous behaviour. It wasn’t until
you told me that Jonas, or Jonas and some of his friends, always walked you
home from the disco, that I realised what a truly loyal soul he is.)
13.
Your ability to face possible failure head-on
Most people—children and adults alike—live in denial about failure. They
don’t see it coming. Surely some miracle will happen, and they can avoid
disaster. But not you, you measure risk and probability with an eagle’s eye.
Do you remember when you couldn’t complete the 2000-meter run in time
required for the Bundesjugendspiele? You asked me to take you to the
track every day for two weeks. The first day, you ran 400 meters before walking
the rest. I (inwardly) shook my head, 400 meters seemed far away from 2000
meters, but you persisted. Day after day, you trained—and in the end, you
earned your Bundesjugendspiele sport certificate.
14.
Your search for True Self
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton
You’ve always questioned who you really are, and I love that about you.
15.
Your dedication to your well-being
Tammy once said, “The body has its own language that takes a lifetime to
learn.” You listen to yours well. Ever since you had mono, when you were forced
to listen to what your body was saying, you consider intensely the partnership
between your body and mind. You look at what you feed your body or how you keep
it in motion, without dogmatic restrictions – more with a sense of exploration.
16.
Our differences
You remember everyone’s birthday, bake beautifully, shop efficiently,
and like walking hours up a mountain path. I, on the other hand, do not.
17.
Our similarities
We
share a love of family and friends, helping those in need, books (Jane Austen
especially), ballet, music of all kinds, eating food from different countries, and
travel.
18.
You are a hiker through and through
I knew it. All those years ago, when you were probably about five years
old, we went on a hike with Maria, Helmut, and the girls, and all the
neighbours. Going for a hike in the Fränkischen Schweiz was a tradition they
did the day after their summer street party.
You and Julien charged up and over all the obstacles we faced in the
wooded area. Sometimes, it was a fallen tree you had to scale. Other times,
it was skipping on stones across a stream. It was as if you had channelled your
inner Franken. How you did this remains a mystery to me.
Over the last 10 years, hiking is just something you do; alone with
Matthias, with Torsten and Beate and friends, or with the motley crew from the
Jacob’s days. It has become such an intrinsic part of your life.
How amazing is
that?
19.
Your determination and tenacity
Whether earning your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD, you are The Little
Engine That Could. The road has been steep, filled with challenges and
doubt, yet you keep pushing forward. Your resilience isn’t just about hard
work—it’s about believing in yourself, adapting, and never backing down. No
matter how uncertain the path, you keep going, and that is truly remarkable.
20.
Choosing a super cool profession
You work in space security—who would have guessed?
On your first day of high school, you turned to me with tears in your
eyes, saying, “I’m the smallest!” I reassured you, “But you have the biggest
heart and brain—they’ll soon know.” And they did. You found your footing among
towering Nordic teenagers and made your presence known.
You explored so many career ideas—ballet dancer, singer, urban planner,
diplomat—before landing in a field you didn’t even know existed when you
started your studies. And yet, you are exactly where you are meant to be. When
you sent the photo of you and the other colleagues (including astronauts), I
remember back to that day at OzD. You are standing on the stage with the other
students and beaming.
21.
Your terrible sense of direction (and how you fixed it)
You have to picture this… you were about five years old, and we were
flying to Grenada. It was the first time I let you go to the bathroom on a
plane alone. We were sitting about three rows behind the toilets.
About ten minutes later, you come running down the aisle and rushed into
my arms. “I got lost. I couldn’t find you! I thought I had got out on the wrong
plane.”, was your sorrowful cry.
I held you tight and reproached myself for having passed on my “no sense
of direction” genes. Yet, you found a way to overcome this deficit. You’ve inspired
me to find my own method of navigation. If you can, so can I!
Having people like Julien and Dave—who can find their way anywhere—once
made me feel inferior. Now, I see it differently.
22.
Your quirky aversion to knees and feet
The young Sara hated hated feet. You especially disliked seeing men exposing their bare feet in summertime. Yuck to men wearing flipflops! (Mind you, I agree with you on that one.) You thought feet ugly and completely useless. When asked how you would like people to look like, you thought we would be fine if we were all cut-off at the ankles.
The young Sara hated hated feet. You especially disliked seeing men exposing their bare feet in summertime. Yuck to men wearing flipflops! (Mind you, I agree with you on that one.) You thought feet ugly and completely useless. When asked how you would like people to look like, you thought we would be fine if we were all cut-off at the ankles.
Then there was that one afternoon in summer, when I asked you why you
were wearing your leggings when it was so hot outside. It would be better to
wear shorts. You confessed that you thought your knees were ugly. Instead of
trying to reassure you that you knees were beautiful, which is what I thought,
I took another strategy. I said, you didn’t have to worry, everyone’s knees
were ugly. Just think of Grumpy’s knees. Topic over.
23.
Your ability to work a room
I’ll never forget Andrea’s 50th birthday. You were 14 or 15, and after
settling me into a corner seat, you kindly offered to get me a plate of food. What
should have been a quick trip to the kitchen, turned into a much longer
absence. When you finally returned, you simply shrugged and said you’d been
talking to people—strangers, adults, and everyone in between.
You weren’t just
making small talk; you were genuinely engaged, enjoying the conversations, and
leaving an impression. Even at that age, you had a natural ease in social
settings—a gift for connecting, for making people feel seen, for turning any
gathering into a warm and welcoming space.
24.
The artist in you
Among all the Hadley cousins, you embody the artistic spirit most
profoundly—the creative blood inherited from your great-grandmothers.
Everything you touch, whether song, music, drawing, photography, sewing, or
cooking, carries your elegant touch.
Life is busy, filled with adventures and obligations. But if I could
offer one piece of advice, it’s this—make time for artistic pursuits. Those
stolen moments of creativity will serve you well throughout your life’s
journey.
25.
It’s not over until it’s over
Your unwavering persistence is a defining strength, evident in so many
aspects of your life. You respectfully persist in discussing a topic until you
reach a better or deeper understanding. You continue a task until you achieve a
satisfactory result. It could be debating social political topics like feminism
or LGBTQA+ rights years ago when you and Matthias first got together. Or, as we
discussed recently, the differences in our approaches in adopting AI
technology. Or, you ensuring that Giui and I schedule regular doctor’s
appointments—something we now do, thanks to your gentle, but persistent
reminders. (Know that while you don’t have to remind us, we truly appreciate it
when you do.)
You do not leave a conversation just because ideas have temporarily run
out. It’s never over until it’s over.
26.
You are a gifted editor
You have a remarkable talent as an editor. Whenever someone needs help
with a CV or an application form, you are the person to turn to. Your insights
are invaluable. Sometimes, I like to think you inherited this skill from me,
but in truth, if anyone passed it down to you, it was Pat. She had an uncanny
ability to see the polished sculpture within the block of stone. Likewise, you
refine ideas and words, chiselling away until everything falls into place.
27.
You are a master project manager
Poor you—born the daughter of a third-generation engineer! As a child,
one of your most passionate objections was “No project!” Any plan that involved
preparation, implementation, or improvement, you instinctively resisted. You
were a tiny force of nature, shouting “I hate collaboration!” from the top of
your lungs.
That all changed when you were twelve. We went to buy you a new bicycle.
None of the lightweight, sleek models appealed to you. Instead, you fell in
love with an old, dilapidated Hollandrad.
A fierce debate ensued—I would buy the bicycle, but only if the store
put it through a safety test first and then, after that, you were to restore it
some semblance of beauty. If I recall correctly, you sought Claudia’s advice on
how to make the bike more visually appealing.
And voila! You sanded down the frame, painted it blue, and delicately painted
a twisting vine of flowers on the crossbar. You attached a basket to the front
and wove plastic flowers along the rim. How proud you were of your creation!
28.
A reluctant fan of Quiet Hour
Oh, quiet hour
Grenada sun shines so high
Time to play and read.
Grenada sun shines so high
Time to play and read.
29.
Being the best possible sister
I remember how upset you were when you learned that, technically, you
were Julien’s half‑sister—just like Jérôme and Helen. In your heart, you
assumed you were something more. Admittedly, you had not met them yet and only
knew them as people Julien spent every second weekend with.
No matter what I told you, you insisted that you and Julien were “real”
sister and brother. You were, in your mind, the Only and Most Important Sister
in his life.
Well, even though eventually, you recognised that Jérôme and Helen were
also Family, you have never lost the crown of being the best possible sister to
him.
30.
Your part in our family constellation
In our family, Julien is the Big Dipper, offering balance and steadiness
no matter the situation. Giui is Orion, who provides and protects us with great
care. I am the Seven Sisters, bringing liveliness and laughter into our family.
And you, Sara, are our Northern Star—shining brilliantly, guiding us through
love and loss, quiet and chaos, health and happiness. Always.
The
road ahead
As you step into this new decade, Sara, I hope you carry all these
gifts, experiences, and qualities with you. Thirty is a wonderful age—it is the
moment when the pieces of who you are truly begin to settle, when confidence
takes deeper root, and when the dreams of your younger self start blossoming
into the reality you’ve built with care and determination.
You have always been a force of nature—a seeker, a thinker, a creator,
and above all, a person who loves deeply and lives fully. It has been my
greatest privilege to watch you grow into the woman you are today. And while
thirty marks a milestone, I know this is just another beginning. There are
still mountains to climb, books to read, songs to sing, and adventures waiting
for you.
So, here’s to you, my Northern Star. May this next chapter be filled
with laughter, love, and the kind of joy that makes your heart race. May you
continue to walk through life with your trademark determination, boundless
curiosity, and kindness that makes the world a better place. And may you always
know—wherever you go, whatever you do—you are deeply loved.
Happy 30th birthday, my dear Sara. The best is yet to come.
With all my love and affection,
Lia
No comments:
Post a Comment