Happy 2nd Birthday Son!

Dear Dean,
Today, as we celebrate you turning two years old, I find myself just wanting to celebrate you.  Let me explain: Lately I’ve been reflecting on the fascinating way my love for you has shifted over time. When you were first born, in those initial first weeks of helplessness and those speedy first months of development, my love for you was incredibly instinctual.  It was a powerful maternal connection.  

I loved you because you were my baby. Or, more accurately, because you were my baby.  Now you’re two, and it’s occurred to me that my love for you actually goes far beyond your connection to me.  

I realize it when you make crystal clear requests for what you want for to eat.  (“Cheese Stick.  Daddy Bar.  Car Milk.”)  I notice it when you are so adamant about doing something on your own. (“Dean Do It.”)  It’s plainly apparent when you refuse to let me change you in the morning because you like your dinosaur pajamas better then the clothes I picked out for you to wear.

At two years old, you are separate from me. You are your own unique individual, and here’s the kicker…you’re awesome.  

As you’ve grown more independent and your specific personality has emerged stronger and stronger, I find myself marveling at how incredible of a person you are. I’ll never know if it’s true or not, but I believe that even if you weren’t my kid I’d still want to play hide-and-seek with you, build trains with you or just hang out with you! You’re that much fun to be around.  Your laugh is infectious! 

My love for you today is based strongly on who you are as your own person rather than on the simple fact that you’re my son.

The coolest part about that phenomenon? The realization that it’s only going to keep growing.
As you continue to grow and develop, so will the way I love you. As your likes and dislikes become more nuanced; as you face successes, challenges, and disappointments in life; my heart will expand to new places, too.  And then one day I will wake up and you will be an adult, one that I hope to love not only as a son, but also as a friend.

So I guess my message to you on your second birthday is simply this: You are awesome. Your boundless energy, your sweet demeanor, your creative spirit; it all comes together to make you a truly remarkable little human being.  I feel privileged to be your mama.  From a parent’s perspective, it doesn’t get any cooler than that.

As you journey into the next year (which I’m sure will be the tremendous twos, with some terrible thrown in for good measure) I’m filled with anticipation to watch you become more and more uniquely you.  My heart will be right there, growing alongside you, my love spreading to cover every new inch of you.

I love you, my awesome son.