亲爱的亮亮：
祝你18岁生日快乐。时间真快，妈妈已经为你写了第十八张生日贺卡了。看你背着书包，拎着琴走进学校的背影，我感到那个曾经在襁褓中的小男孩已经是风华正茂的英俊青年了。你是我们的骄傲。这十八年里你给我们带来了多少幸福和快乐是不能用任何物质来衡量的。谢谢你，我的儿子。祝你顺利完成高中的学业，进入你所梦想的大学。无论你最后上哪一所学校，我们都爱你。
Best wishes for a bright future. We love you no matter which college you attend, we love you no matter what grade you receive, we love you no matter how messy your room is. We love you! Mom and Dad.

Message from birthday card:
A birthday Message, Son: "A son adds love to your life that lasts forever."

How to make a Wonderful Life: Reflections for my son on his birthday

Love yourself.
Accpt who you are and make peace
with where you are at this moment in time.
Don't wait for the world's seal of approval.
Be Happy Now.

Be your own best friend.
Make time each day to enjoy the pleasure of your company.
Do the things that make you smile.
Appreciate the things that make you "YOU."

Try. Take chances.
Trust yourself, even if you make mistakes.
Life can be messy and confusing,
but it can also be surprising.
The next rock in your path
might be a stepping-stone.

Remember that joy is where you find it.
When you don't have what you want,
Want what you have.
Make do.
It's a well-kept secret of contentment.

Know that there aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to make your own way.
It isn't always easy.
It takes a strong spirit, an open ming, and a willing heart.
But you have all those...and more.
Life isn't days and years.It's what you do with time and with all the goodness
that's inside you.
MAKE A WONDERFUL LIFE...
The kind of life you deserve.