Seventeen.

I don’t know how it happened. I really don’t. One minute, he was red-faced and indignant, his hands balled up into fists as he screamed his defiance at having to leave the comfort and warmth of his bed, to be thrust into the cold unforgiving outside… and then, this morning, he’s red-faced and indignant, his hands balled up into fists as he screams his defiance at having to leave the comfort and warmth of his bed, to be thrust into the cold unforgiving outside world…

….hm. Well, maybe things haven’t changed as much as I thought in the past seventeen years!

Yes, today is my son’s 17th birthday. In the transition from that tiny squalling baby to the 6 foot tall young man, from small little baby toes to OMG LOOK AT THE SIZE OF HIS FEET – there have been so many milestones to be proud of. His first words, steps, friends, school year… right up to his first time behind the wheel, his first date, his first dance, his first job, his first car… It’s a whole bunch to process, here at 12:33am, almost 2 full decades after our first face to face introduction.

Words can’t properly convey just how proud of him I really am. He’s grown into a mouthy, smart-assed teenager, who’s strong and tough and sensitive and shy all at the same time, who has a work ethic that amazes his bosses and makes me proud, who will never ever turn his back on a friend. He is the one all the girls turn to when they need a strong shoulder to lean on, he’s the best friend, the buddy, the older brother that alternately drives his sisters nuts, and loves them unconditionally. He’s the one all the OTHER boys are scared of, so they won’t ask his sister out, he’s the one they know they can count on, no matter what they may need. He’s growing into a man with his father’s strengths, his mothers blue eyes, as well as her common sense – enough to know that bribing his mama with a Shamrock Shake and a photo goes a long way toward getting that late wakeup call on his big day.

Mmmmmmshamrockshakes…. Wait, where was I?

Ah, yes…

Happy birthday, baby boy! I love you more today than I ever would have believed possible 17 years ago! Thank you for making me a mom, for helping me grow up, for showing me what it really means to love. I’m proud of you.

Now clean your room.
🙂