Nathan officially turns two today! I was planning for weeks on writing my typical “milestone” post on his birthday, but it just didn’t feel like something I wanted to do this year. My heart honestly has been so heavy these past couple of weeks. If you haven’t or still don’t follow the Leach family, you wouldn’t know but their three month old baby boy passed away unexpectedly. It’s weighed a lot on my heart and mind lately (I’m sure for a lot of people) just about how our time is not promised on this earth, and how important it is to love hard every single day. It’s forced me to reevaluate my focus and priorities each day. So, instead of focusing on all of the words he can say, how smart he is, and what he’s doing at this stage; I just wanted to share something a little different this year.
Nate,
I’m not sure where the past two years have gone, but it seems like time is just flying. You are growing and learning so much every single day, and most days I feel like i’m not doing enough to “teach” you. You have such a curiosity and eagerness to learn new things, it truly amazes me. You have turned into the most handsome boy, and one of the best things in the entire world are your hard hugs complete with pats on the back. You have taught me how to slow down, how to accept, or at least try to accept messy situations, how to love harder than I ever have before. You’ve already given us a run for our money this past year by breaking your leg, and although it wasn’t your fault – let’s just have an easy going year; okay, kid? I hope that this new year brings so much joy and growth for us both. Even on days when teething those dang molars seems never ending, when we’re both going stir crazy from being inside, or we’re both just grumpy, there is no one I’d rather spend my days with. I never pictured myself having a little boy, but man – playing cars, and dinos, and blocks with you is just the best. Please never stop roaring like a dino, and please never stop calling me mama – cause I just couldn’t take it.
Love you forever,
mama