My first-born, my baby boy, turns 10 this weekend. I'm having a hard time with the double digits - it feels as though time is just slipping away. Have I done enough? Does he know how loved he is? At this age, I love that he can read this letter on his own and KNOW how special he is. Happy birthday, Griffin. God sure did bless us with you.
To my son – on your 10th birthday,
I’ll be honest, Griffin. Turning ten is hard for me. While
you want to be double digits and get more into your big kid status, my heart
sinks just a bit. Ten years ago, you stubbornly came into this world a week
later than planned. And from that moment, my world flipped. The first night at
home, we put you to sleep on a large Boppy pillow. While your dad snored away,
I stared at you all night long. Out of fear, probably. But, mostly out of sheer
amazement that you were ours.
I’ll spare you the details of my extreme love for you (I’m
learning that age 10 comes with “Mom, no more kisses, please!) and share more
of what your dad and I see every time we are with you.
One of my most favorite things about you is that you are FUN.
You wake up fun. You go to school for the fun. You try and make sure your
sister has fun. When you’re graciously around kids smaller than you, your goal
is to make sure they have fun. If anything, I wish that you keep on with the
fun times – especially when times get harder as you get bigger.
Currently, you love sports – from the Texans to the Falcons
and of course, our Astros. You love American Ninja Warrior, too. We love watching
you love all these things. Why? Because you have big dreams to be in their
shoes one day. And, we have no doubt you will be there changing lives just like
they do. Remember to be like the good ones though – the ones who are heroes off the field
and off the warp wall. Remember to be kind like that while using your talents
to reach those goals.
And to that big brother status – you’re a good one, G. From
the moment you just knew I was having a girl to current day when you’re talking
that little sister out of her latest antic. You’ve been one she can look up to
every single day. I want you to know how much I appreciate your taking care of
ME when that little girl pushes my buttons. I don’t think I ever told you
that I love when you reach for my hand when you sense my nerves are on edge.
You reach over and tell me you love me. Just when I needed the reassurance the
most. I appreciate that love you give me, and I’m sorry for when those rough
moments are rough on you.
For now, I can’t wait to sneak you out of school and take
you for a treat. You deserve all the good coming to you as you turn 10. My wish
for you this year is to keep the fun in your heart and to keep
dreaming big. No one can get in the way of your dreams because your
determination and heart are so much bigger. And every step of the way,
I will be there cheering you on. From scoring those touchdowns to being kind to
those around you to shining that light on everyone you meet.
Thank you for making me a mom. Thank you for holding my
hand. Thank you for being mine.
Happy 10th birthday, my lovey.
Thank you to my friend Maggie for the pictures of G in 2013. And to Jennifer Spencer Photography for the last photo. To see my other letter to him, click here.
