We spent this past weekend celebrating a milestone birthday in our home. When I woke up Friday morning, I no longer had a child. My sweet little 5 lb. 15 oz. baby boy somehow turned into an 18-year-old adult before our eyes. And y’all. I was not ok.
I mean, of course, we are excited that our son has grown up to be the very sweet, responsible, fantastic guy he is. He has had a healthy and happy childhood; we are incredibly grateful. I guess I just wasn’t prepared for how I would feel about all of it. We always thought this day would come farther down the road so we could enjoy him for much longer, being the funny kid he is. His growing up just went by so fast. He is our only child, and I can’t believe he is grown now. Not that our work is done here. Not in the least! He still has one more year of high school left, and really, do you ever stop parenting? I told him I didn’t care if he was 48 years old someday; he would always, always be my baby. Period.
So, we celebrated the Teen. On Friday, we had Mexican takeout at home and a small birthday cake with sprinkles for him. His cake was so delicious!
We also gave him our birthday present to him. We sang to him, and we reminisced. You can imagine how thrilled he was with all of that.
Hubby and I were feeling very sentimental about it all. And, as I said, I had been all in my feelings about it the week leading up to his big day. I cried. I wondered if I had done enough as his mama. Did I get it right? Did we give him enough? By the time his actual birthday rolled around, I felt much better about it all and pulled myself together. I was satisfied knowing that we have loved him to the moon and back, made sure we have covered all of his needs and most of his wants, and provided him with a loving, stable home. As I’ve gotten older, I really can appreciate the fact that my own parents gave me that, and it is worth more to me than any material thing I could have been given.
On Saturday evening, we joined a host of friends and family at our favorite local pizza place to celebrate him once more. It was a great time.
Good food and good visits with our loved ones. He enjoyed it so much; it was a great way to round out his birthday weekend.
Because this?
THIS is what I feel like he will always be in my eyes. This precious newborn baby that we waited so long for.
That grew up.
Way.
Too.
Fast.
*Newborn photography of our son by the amazing Will Jacks.
Oh I know! Just wait —they turn 30 and not only are you surprised by that —you go -if they are 30 then how old am I? Happy Birthday to the 18 year old.
Nice post. I went through those emotions too, but I think for me it was harder when they graduated high school than when they turned 18. It was like, well, are they ready to be out in the world? And then when the first one moved out, oh my gosh! That first night he was no longer home, I cried. It was a little easier when the second one moved out. lol And then the whole empty nest thing hits . . .
It’s so true! My youngest is now 34. All three will always be my babies. Those milestones are joyous and sad at the same time.
Happy Birthday to your son!
Exactly, Mari! I have indeed felt all of these emotions.
Time does go by fast, but so glad you had a fun celebration!
Time flies! I finally understand that old saying that time is a thief.
It goes waaaaay too fast, I agree! Happy Birthday!!
Thank you so much, Kim!
Oh, my friend. This is beautiful. And oh, so true! When we are handed those precious babies, we think that the bubble of them and us will last forever. And suddenly, they are grown. You summed up the emotions I felt beautifully. As a mom of 26, 22, 20, and 13-year-old children, I promise you they are always your babies. Happy birthday to your son!
Thank you, Billi Jo! It really does go by so very fast! Being a mom is the best thing I’ve ever done.