Letter #8 (50 Love Letters)
Friday, April 15, 2016
Dear Y,
This is a hard letter for me to write because you, my little love are a person who is hard to fit into words. How can I describe the way your presence in our family just somehow makes everything better, how you always do the right thing, and how fiercely independent you are? There's a light around you and it shines wherever you are and whoever you're with.
You are funny -- hilarious actually -- like a little clown. Maybe not a clown because you are afraid of clowns but you are so funny that your big brothers think you're cool and allow you to hang out with them. That's where I always see you, hanging with the "big kids" which I think made you grow up a little faster than you should have but what can I say? You've always refused to be babied. You were only four, and you made it clear. "I can fend for myself. I dress myself, I put myself to bed and I don't need any TLC." I think it was a way for you to protect yourself.
It was hard for me but I learned to treasure the spare moments when you let me hold you on my lap or give you a little cuddle. It makes my heart pitter patter even when you look at me. Your voice is my favorite thing ever. Your voice and your belly laugh and the way you always tuck your shirt in and wear a belt with a cool hat.
You have your biological siblings but you treat every single kid in our house the same. I love that about you. I love how much you love our family. You're still so young and yet I see you right in there playing soccer with your brothers, watching movies with them, jamming on the guitar, and doing well in school. You always do your homework without needing to be asked. You do everything without needing to be asked. You often fall a little below the radar and never seek out attention.
I love you so much it hurts in my tummy. There are really no words to tell you how proud it makes me to be your mom. It's better than winning the lottery or the biggest prize in the world. And each day you get older, you turn into a more amazing little boy. I admire you and love you and look up to you. I kind of want to be you.
Thanks for letting me be your mom.
Xoxoxo