Today my baby turns 14. I had the brilliant idea of writing a post about how proud I am of the kid he is today and then I looked back and realized I had this same brilliant idea when he was 13. I can't help myself, but will keep it short and sweet.
Happy Birthday, MLB. You are still the most energetic, fast-paced, enthusiastic kid I know. You would get up at 5 am and be outside playing golf or basketball until 11 pm if we would let you. You are crazy smart, have a fun sense of humor and are an awesome brother to Audrey. I love watching how excited you get (mostly) that she is taking up golf. When the two of you "debrief" hole by hole after your Sunday round together while cleaning clubs, my heart grows two sizes. I hope the two of you stay friends always. It's tough out there, you need each other. Her spazzy is a good balance to your serious - even if you don't always agree.
I can't believe high school is right around the corner, literally. No doubt, I will cry at your 8th grade graduation Sorry. I am not sad that we are here now, just proud of how far you have come and excited to see where you are going. I look forward to seeing what you do over the next four years. I know you won't follow me into the medical profession. You seem a little freaked out about the blood, body fluids, and numbers of naked people I see each day. It's not for everyone. You will find your thing. No hurry. But whatever it is, if you end up in an office, you are going to need a computer station on a treadmill. I don't see you sitting very long....ever.
I know my coolness factor has gone down but I don't think I embarrass you too much yet. As long as I can still occasionally beat you in a game of horse and run farther (not faster) than you, I think I might stay okay for a bit longer. I love that you still tell me you love me when you get out of the car at school in the morning. I know one day you might not be willing to say it so I will store it up for now.
I know there are times we drive each other crazy, but I know you also know that I am crazy about you. You are an awesome kid, Mason Bonn and I'm glad you are mine. I will love you forever. Happy 14th Birthday.
I have an amazing friend named Heather. Heather and I became friends right after I graduated from college. We have a mutual friend that introduced us and we became running partners. I actually think we spent more time eating pizza than running, but regardless, a great friendship ensued. We have seen each other through moves, births of babies, weddings, losses, and now we are both in the midst of the tenuous teen years with our kiddos.
Heather and I have been meeting for coffee, or happy hour, depending on our mood and what we are facing down at the moment, for decades. This morning I sat across from her beautiful, smiling face and unloaded for a looongg time. It's been a hard week. Work had its issues this week, kids are struggling with some friend drama, I have relationships that need some work, etc. etc. I know I share a lot in writing but there is definitely stuff that isn't meant for here. Heather sits and listens to it all. She has seen the beautiful and the ugly (as well as some bad hairstyles and clothing choices)....and she keeps coming back. She doesn't judge me. She just loves me and I think I might have had a psychotic break quite some time ago if I didn't have her.
With Mother's Day approaching again, (Sunday in case you are just now realizing this - buy mom a card) I am reminded how fortunate I am to be a mom and also have a great mom. But, today especially, I am also reminded how immensely grateful I am for the women in my life who share the journey with me. Not only do I have Heather, but I have several amazing women that I could call and they would be there for me in a heartbeat. I could tell them that I called my kid a smart ass (on accident, it slipped) and they would laugh, tell me a similar story and not that I am a terrible parent who needs to watch her language. I could tell them how hard I think some parts of the journey are right now and they wouldn't tell me to suck it up (they may want to) but instead that tomorrow will most likely be better - and if it isn't, we can go out for a drink.
I am a lucky mama. So to all my mama friend's, Happy Mother's Day. I am grateful for you.
