A Pre-Pre Teen

I remember the day I turned 11-years-old.  I proudly declared myself a pre-pre teen!  I didn't realize I could drop a pre as it turns out 11 is considered a pre-teen anyway.

And now I have a pre-teen.

To my first born on your birthday, let me start by saying I love you.

You truly are an incredible boy.  Right from the start you changed my preconceived notions about how things would be.

But that is a good thing, as it helped me be a more patient, understanding individual; helped me look for the good even in the chaos.

You are so incredibly smart, but also so wise and with such a big heart.

You are a peacemaker, yet you never back down from what truly matters.

You have a wonderful laugh and even better smile.  Your wit and sense of humor is really emerging in this wonderful and delightful way.  It shows a maturity and complexity of someone beyond your age.

You don't have thousands of friends; but the friends you do have, are ones you have reached out to and befriended when they really needed a friend and they are loyal and will always be there for you. Someday when you get past all the clicks and cliches of life and kids (might even take until college), people will realize how truly amazing you are and how much you have to offer.  The adults all around you already realize it, someday your peers will too.

So just hang in there.  Keep being who you are; never let anyone doubt your ability and worth.  No one can take your worth away from you, no one.

Don't let your fear ever hold you back in life.

Thank you for being patient with me, thank you for always forgiving so quickly when I mess up along the way.  You are my first born after all, you are who made me a mother and there is a learning curve.

But I promise you that I will always try my best, I will always love you, will always be there for you. I won't be perfect and I don't expect you to be either.  We just can never give up, never stop trying, not stop growing and becoming better people.

To my Lucas, happy birthday.  I love you,
 Love Mom