To Moms with Sons

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To Moms with Sons…

If you’re anything like me, then your first thought when you found out you were expecting was, “Oh, yay! Now I’ll have someone to go shopping with” or “Now I have an excuse to buy all those tiny little hair bows!”

And then you found out you were having a boy.

You weren’t disappointed. You just needed a little time to get used to the idea of dump trucks and dinosaurs instead of baby dolls and dance recitals.

But I’m also guessing that shortly after he arrived, you quickly forgot about all of those things as you were immersed into the pure joy that is little boys. You forgot all about the frilly clothes and feelings as you dove headfirst into a world of roaring and fearlessness.

I’m sure it didn’t take you long to realize that, little boys? They’re pretty great.

And throughout your life, you’ll get to experience all of the special moments that only a mommy and her son can share.

When he’s small…

You’ll be his special girl.

You’ll be his one and only mama, the woman who cheers him on when he takes those first wobbly steps and laughs at all of his silly faces. You’ll encourage him to get back up when he falls but not before squeezing him tight and smooching those chubby, irresistible cheeks. You’ll be his safe haven, and he’ll be your little love.

He’ll be your protector, your little superhero, fighting off villains, monsters, and even the giant spiders in the basement.

He’ll teach you to always be an encourager, as you insist, “You can do it! You are so brave! Just try, try again,” after he falls off his new bike for the umpteenth time.

He’ll teach you how to fearlessly go after your dreams, as he climbs the mountain of pillows in your living room and dives head-first off the couch without hesitation.

You’ll be in the best shape of your life, as you race him through the yard “just one more time.”

He’ll teach you the art of being both soft and strong, as he defeats a giant dragon just moments before snuggling into your lap and covering your face with sloppy, open-mouth kisses.

You’ll learn not to stress and overthink so much, but instead to live out loud, and to just be and do, like him.

That son of yours will tell you everything you need to know every time he breaks out in a big goofy grin at the sight of you, a smile that says, “you’re the most beautiful, mama, and I love you so.”

He’ll make you feel like a million bucks without saying a thing.

As he grows…

You’ll be his special girl.

You’ll be his one and only mama, the woman he can always count on to believe in him, and assure him that he is the most amazing kid on earth. You’ll welcome him with open arms, encourage him to stop for flowers before his date, teach him the importance of being a good listener, and remind him to call whenever he needs you. You’ll be his safe haven, and he’ll be your little love.

You’ll savor every second of his arms around you, as you teach him a few basic dance moves in the living room, before he insists, “I’ll be fine, mom,” and escapes back to his room.

He’ll surprise you, as he rushes to open the door for his prom date, opening your eyes to the realization that maybe he was listening all those years, afterall.

You’ll be filled with pride as he walks confidently across that stage in his cap and gown, a distant cry from those first wobbly steps that are forever ingrained in your memory.

He’ll open up to you when things aren’t going well at his job, entrusting you with his feelings, and savoring your continued encouragement and wisdom.

You’ll be the first one he’ll call when he meets a girl that is different from the rest, because he values your opinion and knows you’ll share in his excitement.

He’ll fill you with overwhelming joy, as you watch him become a daddy and experience the same kind of love you feel for him.

And that son of yours? He’ll tell you everything you need to know every time he breaks out in a big goofy grin at the sight of you, a smile that says, “you’re the most beautiful, mama, and I love you so.”

He’ll make you feel like a million bucks without saying a thing.

And in your old age…

You’ll be his special girl.

You’ll be his one and only mama, the woman who was always his biggest fan, cheering him on through life’s ups and downs, and laughing at his silly jokes, no matter how many times you’d heard them. He’ll show up at your door, with a bouquet of flowers in his strong, open arms. He’ll encourage you not to use that wobbly old chair to reach the top shelf in the pantry, teach you how to fix that leaky sink, and remind you to call whenever you need him. He’ll be your safe haven, and you’ll be his little love.

That son of yours will have spent a lifetime telling you just how beautiful and loved you are, without ever speaking the words.

And as you close the door behind him, watching out the window as he drives away, you’ll catch a glimpse of the woman in the reflection, and break out in a big old goofy grin at the sight of her.

Because the woman staring back at you is the richest woman on earth, worth more than a million bucks.

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(Ps. For the record, I happen to think those of you with little girls are equally blessed. As a matter of fact, this post is a spin-off of my original, and most popular piece ever, To Dads with Daughters)