This Is You at Nine | Documentary Family Photography and Film San Francisco Bay Area

Dear Sebastian, my baby boy, you’re about to turn nine. I can hardly believe it. I’m posting some recent images and I’ve made a little film. The film is for me of course, but I also made it for 16 year-old Sebastian, and 30 year-old Sebastian, and, if the stars align, very old man Sebastian.

This is you at Nine.

You’re video game obsessed and would play them all day everyday if we let you. You love to hate on hikes when we’re gearing up to go on one, but end up liking them once we’re outside and under trees. While you proclaim to not be a ‘sporty guy’, you’re pretty slick on your roller blades. You’re creative and crafty and love to make things with your hands. You’re really into making your own mazes for your dad to solve. You never turn down an egg cooked sunnyside up. You’re a roller coaster fanatic - and we’ll be spending your birthday riding big coasters at your request. That hair turban thing you do with underwear after your shower, please don’t ever stop.

There are so many things I want to remember about you at this age. So many things I want you to remember. What I will say is that you’re considerate and thoughtful but also pretty wild and have well-timed humor. Your capacity for empathy often surprises me and while you sometimes fault yourself for, as you say, feeling too much, I hope in time you can believe me when I tell you that it’s one of your greatest gifts. You let me be the parent I aspire to be, Sebastian, and I don’t take that for granted. You are so very loved. Happy Birthday!