California Girl

Peyton could've picked any trip or any present for her 16th birthday. It took her awhile to decide as she went round and round with decisions on concerts or an expensive purse or a weekend away. But, after almost six months, she decided that she wanted her gift to be a trip to California to visit her big cousin, Lauren. 

The Work Fit

Lauren is also the middle child of three kids - an older brother and a younger sister. She left for California her freshman year in college and never came back (to live permanently). She's worked her way up in the glamorous world of Hollywood at an entertainment company and Peyton has been interested in her life and job for several years now. Lauren (and her husband Matthew) were gracious enough to invite Peyton out to visit them in California and show her what it means to work at their company and live in LA.

So on a stormy Thursday, Peyton flew out (after an almost three hour delay) and arrived in the land of celebrities and EVs. She knew how to navigate the airport (of course she's a pretty seasoned traveler) as well as was armed with some work attire for the office and "California fits" too. 

They ate at many cool restaurants, went to a beach club, got smoothies at Erewhon and matchas too. Lauren even set up a day of work for Peyton with her meeting the interns and assistants at her company and going to lunch with them as well as putting Peyton to work so she could see what it would really be like to be an intern or an assistant. She loved all of it and all the different people too!

She was so busy and happy that we barely heard from her all weekend! And, when I texted her to make sure she was through security and on time for her flight on Sunday, she responded that she was purposely going to miss it so she could stay in LA longer. Then in true Peyton fashion, once she saw me in baggage claim when she got her flight, she promptly burst into tears. Not because she was happy to see me, but because she already missed California so much. 

I don't know where Peyton will end up in life - in California or in the midwest - but I do think these moments of growing up and learning about yourself away from your parents are essential for every kid. They may not have an opportunity to fly away or a cool cousin to show them their world but navigating and figuring out life without us was a beautiful thing to see for our 16 year old. 

Malibu with Lauren

She's home!