Saturday, October 29, 2016

A Letter to My First Born on His Thirteenth Birthday

Son,


You are amazing. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.


From the moment your papi and I found out you existed, we couldn't wait to meet you. Who would you look like? What color would your eyes be? How tall would you grow? The only thing we knew for sure was that you'd be amazing. And that we'd never let anyone tell you otherwise.


As you grew in my belly, we began to learn a little more about you. We knew that you'd have a head full of hair as seen on the sonogram. We knew that you had your days and nights mixed up, I could tell by how busy you'd be as the days turned into night. We knew that you'd be a bit stubborn as you tried to come a whole five weeks early. We also knew that you'd be amazing. And that we'd never let anyone tell you otherwise.



When you were born, you were perfect. A whopping 7lbs 13oz and 20 inches long with gorgeous thick brown hair and twinkling light gray eyes. And a cry that could be heard from across the room. You were all that I dreamed of and more. I had no idea what I was doing when I brought you home, but somehow I managed. I had to. You were going to be amazing. And I was never going to let anyone tell you otherwise.


We knew you were smart from day one. You learned to hold your bottle, crawl, walk, and talk in what seemed like the blink of an eye. One day we were pushing you around in your black and yellow stroller and before we knew it, you were running wherever it was you wanted to go. You got into anything and everything you could find. You would shoot your mini basketball, or "ba-ball" as you called it, into your little brother's swing. You knew each and every word to The Wiggles songs. You even ate one of my lipsticks while I napped once. You were a curious little one. We knew you were going to be amazing. And we would never let anyone tell you otherwise.


Kindergarten came before we knew it. You were a bit shy on your first day. We saw you off dressed in blue jeans and a black shirt with a white tie drawn on it, Transformers backpack and matching lunchbox in hand. I couldn't wait to pick you up. By the time we did, you had already made several friends. I knew you would. You are amazing. And I'd never let anyone tell you otherwise.


The elementary years were some of your best years yet. You exceled in every single subject. So much so that you were reading at a higher grade level very early on. You were a patrol, a bulldog buddy, a member of your school's morning news crew, an honor roll award recipient, a perfect attendance award recipient, as well as the recipient of the presidential physical fitness award. It was evident to not only your parents, but to your teachers as well that you were amazing. And we would never let anyone tell you otherwise.


Then there were sports. Many, many years of them. Soccer came first, followed by basketball, and then tackle football. You exceled in them all. We have videos upon videos of your goals, three-pointers, and touchdowns. Your trophy case in your room is completely full. So full that you are in need of a new one. You see, you are amazing. And we will never let anyone tell you otherwise.


And then came middle school.  And cellphones, hair products, face wash, Instagram, texting, school dances, and girls. The year that you, my son, turn thirteen. You are growing into a handsome, intelligent, and respectful young man right before our eyes. You are currently playing quarterback for your football team, you even made the eighth grade basketball team as a seventh grader, all while managing to keep a B or higher in all of your classes including two honors courses.


So what I am trying to say is this. When the road ahead gets rough and things may not always go the way you planned; when you feel like your best is not good enough; when you are struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel; never forget. YOU ARE AMAZING. Don't you ever let anyone tell you otherwise!


Love,


Mom




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