Timeline: Ages 11-15
Age 11: My mom and my brother and I walk up to the Humane Society one day, to look at the adoptable puppies. We say we're just going to look, there's no harm in looking, and we won't bring home a dog anyway. Once there, we see a tiny fuzzball of a dog, so sweet and so cute, and clearly in need of a home with two kids. We adopt him on the spot and call my dad to come pick us up.
Age 12: My best friend moves away to Virginia. Even though I know we'll keep in touch, I'm crushed. When we fall out of contact a few years later, I'm not surprised.
Age 13: I'm in the sixth grade. The teacher asks us a question about the Bible. He brings in the first-grade teacher to recite a Bible passage for us. Everyone chimes in to add to the conversation, but since I've never read the Bible, I keep my mouth shut.
Age 14: My new best friend and I are having a discussion about swearing. We decide that at our age, it's probably okay to say "crap." But surely you have to wait until you're older to say "shit." We feel very wise.
Age 15: I have a crush on a boy at school who flunked the 8th grade. Note to self: set higher standards.