#tommy fitzpatrick

The only thing Tommy did miss about attending school was seeing friends. Luckily, the path his friend Ella took to and from school each day lead right by the Fitzpatrick farm. After her classes were done, she'd often stand at the fence and chat with Thomas while he worked.

She kept him informed on all the things happening with the kids he used to go to school with. Sometimes they'd talk about their families, how Tommy loved his and would do anything for them, and how Ella felt weighed down by the expectations hers put on her.

Sometimes, their conversations would go so long that Tommy would be finished with what he had to do on the farm, and he would just sit on the fence to keep talking with Ella.

Ella Rose often came to visit the Fitzpatricks, as she felt close to both Tommy and Anna. Recently, though, Anna had begun to notice Tommy and Ella acting a little... different around each other.

When Tommy left to go tend to something in the garden, Anna was eager to ask about what was happening. She didn't have much of a filter. Ella felt like she could trust her friend and confided in her that she'd begun to find Tommy quite cute, and had in fact woken up from a dream that very morning where the two were married!

Anna found this highly amusing, but also wonderful news. Think! Her brother and her friend could be wed and live in the family home. Then she'd never have to be without either of them!

Later that day, after Ella had gone home, Anna decided to play matchmaker. She didn't outright tell Tommy about their friend's feelings, simply tried to determine if he had similar feelings (he did) and encourage him to court her.

Like his siblings before him, Tommy was given the choice between staying in school and working full time on the farm. He didn't hate school, like Anna did, but he hadn't loved it either. Ultimately, he decided it was best for him to work on the farm.

As he worked with his father, he found he had made the right choice. He liked this a lot better than he'd ever liked school.

Happy birthday, Tommy! Welcome to your adolescence!