Letter to My Son – Happy 11th Birthday!

These sneakers.

They represent so much.

Nick decided a few weeks ago that one of the birthday presents he wanted was a pair of basketball sneakers.

They are huge.

But not really.

He’s just getting bigger.

No, really, I think they’re a little huge.

He spent a Saturday morning online and on the phone (sometimes working two phones at the same time), to research where we could buy the exact pair he wanted.

The color he wanted.

Who had his size available and in stock.

He could not have researched the decision any more than he did.

And with that, he is growing up.

A pre-teen. With shoes that are bigger than mine. And a maturity that is, lately, growing by leaps and bounds.

I am so not ready.

Dear Nick,

Wow, what a year it has been for you. I blink and all the sudden, you’re not a little kid anymore. You’re growing up way too fast for my liking. You are all at once mature, keenly responsible, and acting more like a grown-up than a kid every day.

And while it’s equal parts awesome and no! no! not yet!, it’s also a little bit … heck, where did my baby go?

I give you one more summer and you will surely be taller than me. By Christmas, your feet will be bigger than mine (and my feet are pretty big to begin with!).

You are so thoughtful and compassionate. And so level-headed and easygoing. Traits that I really admire in the young man you’re becoming. You have showed fierce determination when you fixate on a goal (raising grades, raising money for animals, or anything in between), and can do anything you set your mind to.

But this past year? This past year, I rub my eyes and see a completely different kid. Someone who is fearless, who now gravitates towards bigger, faster, higher. Someone who has really grown into his own.

And I couldn’t be more proud.

You help around the house without being asked, are a wonderful big brother to your sister, and are truly a pleasure to be around.

This year, you have discovered a love for acting and running track, and you’re going off in so many new and exciting directions, I can see more and more the type of young man that you are becoming.

And I’m so glad I get a front row seat to all of it.

I love you.

Mom

LIKES: soccer, art, Instagram, track, acting, Science, swimming, swimming, swimming, Property Brothers, Shark Tank, volunteering, and cruises.

DISLIKES: clutter, homework, sitting still, and not knowing what’s on our schedule every moment of the day

Please join me in wishing Nick a happy 11th birthday!

A look back…

When he turned ten …

When he turned nine …

When he turned eight …

When he turned seven…

When he turned six…

When he turned five…

When he turned four…

When he turned three…

*If you tried to visit my site earlier today, ack! The site’s host was having serious server-wide problem, and many, many sites were down for most of the day. To say they took a beating in social media would be an understatement. So if you missed last night’s post, here’s your chance to catch up.

And with that, happy weekend to you and you and you.