NOOOOOO-OOO-OOOOOOO-O-O-O-O!!!!!!!!!!

Somewhere, I have no clue where, Betsie has gotten this idea that she needs to go to college and further her education. She also thinks she is supposed to turn eighteen next week. 

Eighteen.

How dare she do this without the rest of her family liking this? We are all thinking that we need to take a vote and make her abide by our decision and stay with us. And we all know the vote would be for her to stay.

Sigh...for some reason, I think she'd go all demagogue on us and not abide by the will of the people.

Anyway, since we'll be traveling on the day of the not-so-happy-event (for us, she thinks it is a big deal and all) and the day before, too, I wanted to do the traditional birthday interview a few days early.

So here goes.

Betsie, you know my opinion of you turning eighteen and going away --- far, far, far away --- to college. What is your take on the matter?

I feel like I have been running a marathon for the past seventeen years and I'm almost to the finish line. I'm on the last paragraph of the chapter and about to start a new one so I'm really excited to turn the page and start that but I'm also kinda sad.

Yeah, you just put that sad part in to try and make us think you're going to miss us. As if....

ANYWAY, back to your birthday. If you could get anything for your birthday, price and realism have not limits, what would you ask for?

Okay, either it would be a vintage convertible or a trip to Thailand. But since I can't get either of those things, I would really like to get a bike.

What color?

Sky blue.

Is that your favorite color?

It is one of my favorite colors. I pride myself on not having a favorite color.

What are you other favorite colors?

Green and dark blue and pale purple and cream.

Since we're on the subject of favorites, what are some other favorites in your life right now. Let's see....ummm....books. What are your favorite books right now?

I'm reading THE KITE RUNNER and that's a page-turner. I'm not a masochist, though, so I will probably never read it again. I'm reading a lot of girl power books lately.

What are your all-time favorite books?

Oh my gosh. I don't know.

Just name a few.

LITTLE WOMEN, THE HELP, DELIRIUM, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, all the NARNIA books.

What about music? Favorite right now and all-time favorites?

THE BEST SONG EVER [by One Direction] and the mixed cd my friend Bethany gave me are my favorites right now. All-time favorites? Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgroves, Switchfoot, One Direction, Keith Urban, Jesus Culture.

Favorite scripture verse or Bible story/passage?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. At least that's it for the moment. It changes a lot.

Favorite foods? Real food and junk food.

Chocolate chip cookie dough, fro-yo, rotel [dip], anything Thai as long as its not spicy, and MEXICANNNNNNN!

Favorite thing to do when you just wanna chill.

Either a movie or tv show marathon and eat.

Favorite place to hang out with friends.

Somewhere outdoors, maybe the park.

Really? I figured coffee shops.

Oh, coffee shop couch.

Speaking of coffee shops, what are your favorite beverages?

Blondie frappes with lots of whipped cream, hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream, I'm digging Dr. Pepper right now, and always water with ice.

Favorite icecream?

Chocolate chip cookie dough and anything Ben and Jerry's. Their cannoli one is uh-maaaaaazing!

Favorite cookies?

Chocolate chip.

Favorite candy?

Ummmmmm......Reese's cups.

Okay, so off the food theme.

Favorite animal.

Probably cats.

Why?

Because, they're not clingy like dogs are. They don't drool and rub their bums on you. I hate that about dogs.

You are my daughter.

Okay, so what are ten other things you really like?

Dancing. Annoying people with David --- it is more fun [with him]. The fact that I only have 22 days until college. Getting a nose ring next week. High heels. Driving with the windows down, every time, even in the rain. I like baseball. I don't like saying goodbye. I like Mindy Kaling, she's really cool. And I loooooove getting snap chats from my friends that are really random and sometimes slightly inappropriate.

Oh Betsie.

Ummmm....so what is your favorite birthday memory from years past?

Probably my 16th birthday. We went to a restaurant and afterwards we bought a disposable camera and when all the girls came back to sleep on my house we took all these pictures out on my balcony. The next day we went to Merit Creek and when we got there, two of my friends had written HAPPY BIRTHDAY in huge letters in the sand on one of the banks.

How do you think you've changed the most since that birthday?

I stick up for myself now. I'm not afraid to tell people when they are doing something that makes me uncomfortable.

How do you think you'll change between now and next year when you turn 19?

I have no idea. I don't know.

Well, you will have lived 6 months on the other side of the world from your mama and daddy. You'll have finished your first year of college. I can only imagine that it is going to be a huge year.

Do you have any hopes for this year, specifically where college is concerned?

That I become really good friends with my suite mates; that I don't commit to too much, take on more than I can handle; that I still go to the gym and don't gain the freshmen 15; and that I will finish the school year knowing that I helped at least one person.

Well knowing you, and how driven you can be and how loving God has made you, I have no doubt that most of those will happen, especially the very last one.

I love you sooooooooo-o-o-oo much and even though I might pout a bit concerning your leaving, you know that I am actually very proud of you and support your choice all the way. The W is a good match for you and God's going to do amazing things in your life this year.

I love you, Birthday Girl!

Ahhhh, thanks, Mom!