My son turned 21 today.
Yes, I know. This blog is supposed to be about the social and marketing trends that impact moms — and it has been since its start.
But not today. Today, my son turned 21 and for once, I’d like to blog as a mom rather than as a marketer.
Until I was in my early 30s, I had no interest in parenthood. None. I loved working: It challenged and motivated and excited me. There was no place in my head or in my heart for anything else.
And then.
And then, one day, a few years after I married a man who almost got away because he wanted children and I didn’t, my head began to swivel each time I passed a baby on the street. Linda Blair in The Exorcist had nothing on me. I wanted a child, and after one miscarriage, a bit of surgery, and a lot of pregnancy kits, (the child now known as ) CollegeBoy was born. And I became that most miraculous of beings, a mother.
And for that, I am grateful to God, my husband, the two doctors in the delivery room with me, healthy family genes, luck, and a well executed Cesarean.
It was in that delivery room that I fell completely, utterly, hopelessly in love.
My son turned 21 today, and this is what I wrote in his birthday card:
You are, and have always been, the light of our lives.
You are the best thing that ever happened to us.
We are so amazingly proud of you for the kind of man you are.
We wouldn’t change a thing.
Remember always that we are your best friends and greatest supporters through life.
Thank you for everything.
Love always, Mom and Dad
What an amazing tribute from an amazing Mom. Have 21st College Boy!
p.s. I was the same as you. Did not want children. Almost let Big Guy get away because he did. Now we have two!
Good thing we changed our minds–life would be very different without those incredible people in our lives! Thanks for your comment.
Aw, sweet. They are never really “all grown up,” are they. Then again, I guess we aren’t either.
Happy 21st birthday to your son!!!!
They’ll always be our “kids,” even when they’re gray. Thanks for the feedback.
This is such a beautiful post, and tribute to your son. It is a little hard to watch them grow up, isn’t it? My son is 20 now, and it is so hard to believe. I remember the little bundle of joy when he was born. Time flies way too fast.
I hope your son had a happy birthday!