May 14th, 2025.
Harry and I sat towards the left-hand side of the auditorium, parents filling the room in swarms. I looked over to Harry, my handsome 31 year-old husband, as he squeezed my hand. We watched the clusters of classes from the school, St. Mary's School of Gifts, file in. The school was mainly for deaf, blind, speech impediments, and attention deficit type of disorders. It was called the school of "gifts" because St. Mary's believed the disorders were not struggles, but rather "gifts" to help push our children further. We weren't very religious, we were all baptized and raised Catholic, but we loved the Catholic education...well I just loved the blazers and plaid skirts on my 6 and 10 year old.
"Muuuuum! Daaaad!" I heard Harry call. He was walking in with his 5th grade class. Our boy, middle school next year. He no longer was that stuttering toddler who clung to his mummy, but a fit, football goalie, who spent most of his time with his friends instead. He no longer talked in 3rd person, but he still had a small stutter. Harry and I waved with glee at our son who clambered into a section on the bleachers with his friends.
Principal Simmons walked up to the microphone set on the stage, and tapped twice, the chatter receding.
"Hello, parents, teachers, students, and guests. I'd like to welcome you to the 2025 St. Mary's Speech Festival. You will be hearing from selected students from grades 2-5. To open the festival, we have the speech of "My Dad's a Superstar" by 2nd grader, Emilie Styles." he said, the crowd erupting in applause.
Our beautiful 6 year old daughter, her dirty blonde curls at her back, and her hazel eyes still swarmed with thick lashes. She stepped forwards, smiling a toothless grin at Harry and I, before holding up her paper.
"Hello. My name is Emilie Styles. I am sure most of you have a person come to mind when you hear my last name. No, not my big brother, my daddy. My daddy, Harry Styles is amazing. He has been all over the world to places like Japan, the States, Brazil, and Spain. I'm not sure where those places are, but I know I will learn soon." she beamed.
"It started in March 2010, long before me or my brother were born, that daddy tried out for a show from the telly, XFactor, which isn't om anymore, but I bet it was nice. He didn't make it until Uncle Si put daddy through with 4 others, my uncles Louis, Liam, Niall, and Zayn. They became big and famous and then mummy and daddy met. Zayn is mummy's brother and he had all of the band come stay at mummy's flat, which is where they fell in love. Harry and I say its icky, but mummy says it's called romancical." she cringed, the audience chuckling at her made up word.
"Having my daddy as a famous person is good and bad. It is good because he can sing me to sleep since mummy sounds like a cat who doesn't want a bath! He can also tell me cool stories like about the koala in Australia. He also got me 4 cool uncles that I love a lot." she smiled towards the 4 boys and their wives in the back.
"Sometimes I miss him when he has to go somewhere different, but I know he will always come home. I was born deaf. I can't hear anything without my implants, and it made mummy and daddy scared when I was brought by the bird. Now I am a big kid and I can hear and talk like the other kids. The best part about my daddy being a superstar is the fans. They scream a lot, and I am happy I can hear that. Mummy says that makes me "wise beyond my years" except I don't know what wise means! I think having my daddy famous has made me smart and made me know things. So thank you to my daddy for making music for even the people who can't hear." she concluded, holding up the sign for "I love you."
The speech festival ended after 3 more speeches, and Emilie ran over to her 4 aunts, 4 uncles, brother, and parents, to receive the biggest hugs ever.
"I am so proud of y-you Emi! You did a great job, all of us in 5th grade liked it a lot!" Harry smiled, hugging his sister.
"I'm so proud of you Emilie! You have come so far babe!" Louis cheered, spinning her above his head.
