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To my son.

Day 1


Day 361



Well, we made it kid. One whole BIG year down!

It seems like we met only yesterday. But at the same time, it’s like you’ve always been here with us. It’s the weirdest thing! I remember wondering what you would be like—your gender, your face, your name, your personality. I never could have dreamed you. My imagination fell so far short.

It’s been a big year for you. You’ve learned to eat food all by yourself; discovered that you have two sides of your body that work together to complete one task; found your voice (and make your opinion known); learned to laugh; taken spills; jumped—on trampolines, the ground, beds, laps, my face, in the bath tub (didn’t end well), and pretty much everything that can be jumped on; sprouted six teeth; flew through the sky; rode on a bus and in a taxi; got butterflies in your tummy while swinging at the park; moved into a new bedroom in a new home; figured out how to climb (climbing’s your favorite); and slowly but surely, you’re learning to trust that your legs can hold your weight as you balance on two feet and take a step… or two… or six really small ones. But really, you want to run (or skip—I’m not really sure which).

You may be one year old, but you, my sweet boy, are an old soul. Aunt KD says that she believes your one purpose in life is to bring joy to the world. Because you do. You make friends everywhere you go. We don’t go out to eat just the three of us. We go out to eat with the entire restaurant. And you once made nearly every single person on a Boeing 757 smile, one by one, as you awkwardly “walked” past. You smile with your whole face. And it’s contagious.

You are kind. And not just in a “isn’t that baby sweet” kinda way. You are genuinely kind. You don’t just look into someone’s eyes. You look deeper. May you always have that inclination—to be kind. To see people for who they are and to love regardless. Because what you don’t know yet is that the world needs more kindness. It’s dark out there. And you shine brightly.

It’s important to be aware of the darkness, to understand the difference between right and wrong, and to not be so kind that the world breaks you. Dad and I can’t always be there to protect you. (And we hate that.) But we promise to guide you so that when the time comes for you to stand on your own, you can do so confidently.

With each passing year, you will learn new things and in different ways. Whatever you do, do it awesomely. Maybe you will be hugely successful. If you are, it’s because you’re awesome. But also remember that a little humility goes a long way. Not everyone has it so good.

Maybe someday you will fail. If you do, fail awesomely. Try. Try your best. And if it doesn’t work out, it’s okay to cry. Be angry. Be sad. But don’t sit there too long. Get yourself up, wipe yourself off, accept it, and go boldly in a new direction by faith. Enjoy the adventure! And no matter what, Dad and I are and always will be so ridiculously, embarrassingly proud of you.

But the future pep talks can wait. Right now, you are one. O-N-E.

We’ve waited a long time for you. And what a treasure you are!

May year two be just as grand (and with a lot more sleep).

I love you. Always.



Mom

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