*This is one of my greatest Mom fails... I am posting this over 6 months after my son's actual birthday - HALF a year, guys! And I have no good excuse. Less than one week after Joey's 2nd Birthday party, the world turned upside down because of COVID-19, and I have had all the time in the world (being stuck at home most of these past 6 months) to get this posted. I thought of letting it continue to sit in my drafts, along with several others that never made it on the blog, or just deleting it. But I couldn't bring myself to do either. So here we are, six months later. But I didn't want to just not share because, however embarrassingly late.. this isn't about how I let time get away. This is for you, Joey.*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Joey,
Tonight I said "goodnight" to you for the last time as a One year old. Tomorrow morning (at 6:09am) you will wake up and be TWO!
I have done a lot of thinking about your life - how much you've grown since that tiny boy who changed our world two years ago. I've thought about what kind of person you will become, and how you'll continue to learn new things, and keep showing us your personality. I want to write as many of my thoughts about your future as I can so you'll always know - no matter where your life takes you - that right now, in this moment, this is all I hope for you! Happy Birthday, Joey. Mommy loves you.
You're growing and changing, you're just at the start.
You'll keep learning new things that will make you grow smart.
You're curious, adventurous, and there's lots still to see!
You have so many who love you - most of all, your Dad and me.
You have eyes that smile, and a laugh for the ages
You love giving hugs - I hope that never changes!
I can tell you’re a dreamer,
You love stories, music and Disney.
And who knew how long a stick and some dirt
could make you smile and keep you busy.
I know you won't always love trains and toys that have wheels,
But I hope you always find joy in simple things with good feels.
I pray you'll be kind, that you're always humble and honest.
Even when it means owning up to things that won't be remembered the fondest.
There will come a day when you’ll probably push me away
Instead of wanting me to hold you and when I have to leave, crying for me to stay.
I know Mommy won't always be your best friend.
But I pray that doesn't happen until you find a girl who will see your heart and love you to the very end!
This probably seems like a lot - "Mom, I'm only TWO!"
But I know time goes by fast, so I’m already praying for these things for you.
In what will feel like a moment and a lifetime with each passing day,
You'll be going to school, moving out, and life will sweep you away.
So I'm saying this now, because our time is not promised -
(Although I pray and hope that I'm with you for a hundred more years, if I'm honest)
Through every trial, every triumph, every success and each challenge,
Know that I love you! More than 100 years together could manage.
I will be with you, for always - whether here on this earth or in heaven.
And you can carry my love every day, from now until you're one hundred and eleven.
There's so much more I could say, but tomorrow we’ll just enjoy being young!
We’ll eat cake, play outside and with your favorite train, Tommy.
So, I'll leave off with this:
I love you, Joey - Happy Birthday sweet boy, love Mommy!
Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, {and loved more than you'll ever know!}" A.A. Milne
