Dear Son,
Happy 10th Birthday! How time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was writing a letter to you on your first birthday.
Even though it’s been 10 years, so much of what I wrote back then is still the same. You entered this world faster than we expected, and you haven’t slowed down. You bring the energy to our family. Without you, our home would be way too quiet. You are smart and full of random facts. Your smile is amazing. Your excitement for life is infectious. Your laugh is contagious–I can’t help but laugh when I hear it. You bring so much love and joy to my life. Seeing you happy makes every sacrifice your dad and I make worth it.
When you were a year old, I saw your potential to impact those around you. And every year since, I have seen you do just that, whether you are at home, school, church, or playing sports, you light up any space you enter and make it better. People gravitate toward you, and you have the ability to influence them in a positive way. As you continue to grow, I hope that I can help you figure out how to continue to use this quality for good.
As I think back on the last 10 years, it hasn’t always been easy–no one gives you a manual on how to parent. Yet, by God’s grace, I feel like I have done a pretty good job so far, and I hope you agree. Over the last decade, together we have learned to navigate big feelings, communicate better, apologize and overcome hard things. I hope we take the lessons we have learned and continue to build on them in this next chapter of your life.
I know you think I am a little too serious, but I’m okay with being the serious one in this relationship. As a parent, my job is to help lead and guide you toward becoming the person God created you to be. And oftentimes that requires being a bit more serious. I also know that it can sometimes keep us from living in the moment. You often tell me, “It’s okay” or “You can relax, Mom,” and I promise you I’m working on finding the right balance.
I haven’t told you this, but it means a lot to me that you still want my hugs and bedtime kisses. Although you are growing up, you will always be my first baby, the one who made me a mom. It’s been an amazing 10 years with you. I have loved watching you grow into the young man you are today. We have some pretty big milestones ahead of us, but together we will conquer them. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years hold.
I love you so much!
Mom
