Today you turned 12 years old.
You, our little boy, who is growing into a young person we are so incredibly proud of.
But you seem to straddle two different worlds; childhood and what’s next. It’s not quite adulthood, I can’t bring myself to say that, but it’s that much closer.
You still hold my hand with one of your own, and yet reach for your independence with the other.
Don’t think I haven’t noticed how much bigger your hand feels in mine. But perhaps your growth only matches how my heart has grown in the 12 years since becoming your mom.
I have to let go of the hand eventually, but I can tell you aren’t ready; not yet, not fully. So I hold on to the one you offer me, when you offer it. But you keep taking those small steps into what’s next.
I know you still need us. As we need your to carry your love and laughter and curiosity into our family as you always have.
And your sister needs you to guide her, gently, and to love her as you always have. Now that you are older, I think you see that even more too.
We want you to be yourself, with your interests like music and baseball and history and games. Because when you are yourself you shine.
I’m going to hold onto that hand every time you offer it. I hope you keep offering it for a little while longer. Maybe even when you don’t need it, I will.
Today we celebrate you, happily and with enthusiasm. Because you deserve it.
You are 12.
You are amazing.
And you are loved.
