My Love Affair

I was thinking about saving this post until later...say May, but then reconsidered - I didn't want the moment to escape me. Bo asked me the other night, "Mom, why are we here?" A big question for a second grader. Heck, a big question for anyone. He was concerned because he didn't know why, "he was here." I reassured him that some people never find out their reason but with most certainty, he would at some point, find out his purpose. I told him that I did know my purpose and it is to touch the lives of children; both my own and the ones that I teach.

I love being a mom to my two sons. Being their mom gives me more joy and sense of purpose than I could have ever thought possible. I love tucking them in at night when they are all warm and snugly from their baths. I love reading them bedtime stories and giving the characters different voices. I love it when we go and see a movie at the theater and being able to watch their reactions in the dark when they are unguarded. I love their spontaneous hugs and kisses. I love cranking up my iPod on the Bose sound dock and having dance parties in the family room with them. I love clicking them into their seat belts and cutting up their meat so that they don't choke. I even love folding their small clothes that are getting bigger. I have loved, in all sincerity, every stage of their existence. From childbirth, to middle of the night feedings, to cleaning up the umpteenth glass of spilt milk.

I tell them that I love them every.single.day. Robert and I are that kind of a family. We say it and show it. Hugs, kisses and a, "buddy I love you" are commonplace.

I realize that when they are almost 8 and 5 that loving them is easy. Tweens and teens are tough - I see my possible future five days a week. Those sweet little cherubic faces can become sullen, sarcastic and withdrawn. Those little voices deepen and are not as ready to tell you how pretty you are or that, "you are such a good cook that your food should be in a restaurant!" I'm prepared for that transition (I think) but hopefully the metamorphosis is slow because frankly, this love affair I'm having is simply...amazing.