Ode to Sam

They said that you would come on Valentine's Day.

You, my first child, my only son.

They said that it would be a hard delivery because you were posterior which meant that the back of your skull was in the back of my pelvis.  And they were right. 

They said that you would be average sized, but the only thing average about you was your weight.

You came one week early...kicking and screaming...ready to grace the world with your extraordinary presence.

From the moment that they laid you on my chest, seven years ago, and I became a mother for the first time, I knew that my life had changed forever.  I never knew that I could love someone more or that I would be willing to sacrifice and advocate as fiercely as I have and as I will for you.

I love that by the age of 2.5, you were correcting others on the multi-syllabic pronunciations of your favorite dinosaurs, even the docent at Fontenelle Forest.

I love that you know exactly what you want down to the letter, color, shape, sound, and timing...and that you're cool with being that precise.

I love that you're unaffected by others' pressure for you to do and be something other than you are.  You're good to hang by yourself.  You're fine to engage in your own deal.  And, you don't fear being alone.

I love that you adore your father/"papa."  You and he have a bond that is ferocious.  You understand each other like none other and you speak each others language.

I am so grateful that God chose me to be your mama.  I am amazed that we've been on this journey for seven years together.  I pray that we will continue to grow closer.  That you will grow and emerge as the amazing little boy that I know you to be. 

And that this day and every day, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are loved.

Happy Birthday, Sam....love, mama