Goodbye to 8 Year Old You

Our editor is a bit of a sap and she's been extra strange lately. In an effort to reduce the excessive amount of clinging and hugging and weird, prolonged gazes we've been getting, we agreed to allow her to post about what's on her mind. We are not responsible for any reaction you may have to the thoughts expressed below, nor will we reimburse for tissues. Read at your own risk.


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Nine is a tough one for me, Cole. You’re so close to grown up and it’s equal parts sad and amazing. I’m always in awe at your ability to jump into anything with an open mind and spirit of adventure.  I’ve seen the incredible things you can do when you believe in yourself. I’ve watched you enter new groups and pick out really, really good friends, and I see you investing in the friendships you’ve had as long as you can remember. I see how you take the time to understand when something/someone is different. I watch you closely when you stand up for yourself or your friends and I ask if you still need me when you’re worried about those you love.

 I hear the sincerity in your voice as you thank God each night for your many blessings, then never forget to pray for those on your list. You have such a tender heart, it's hard for me to imagine you'll be okay in this big ugly world of ours, but somehow I know you will be.

I can hardly wait to see what you accomplish and who you'll become. But then again, I can wait. I want to keep waiting forever actually, because waiting means you’re still here and you’re still my little boy and there’s still time for a quick game of catch or a cuddle. Waiting means there’s another prank waiting to be pulled or another experience ready to be shared. Waiting is the best part of this journey, especially when it’s you I’m waiting with. I’d give the sun, moon and stars to wait just a little longer for each birthday to arrive, but that’s not the way this works, is it?

Motherhood is made up of all the most beautiful firsts and all the most heartbreaking lasts, and somewhere in between are the days and the hours we try desperately to carve into memories.

So don’t mind my tears today darling. I’m celebrating too, I promise. It’s just that I love 9 year old you so much that I have to let go of 8 year old you to make room, and oh how I loved 8 year old you… J 

Happy Birthday Baby.  Thank you for bringing me along on your trip through this life.