Today I'm sharing Andrew's letter with you.
March 20, 2014
Dear Andrew,
I want you to know how incredible I think you are. From the moment you were born, you’ve been
quiet. You are my shy boy. I think this is often the case with younger
siblings. But, I love this about
you. And, even though you are quiet, you
have an amazing sparkle about you that lights up the room whenever you
smile. Your smile makes my heart soar
and people always tell me that you have the kindest and gentlest smile they’ve
ever seen. Oh my, do I agree. I always tell you that you are my sweetie boy
and that fits you so perfectly.
When you were born, I couldn’t hold you for three days. It was the most painful experience I’ve ever
had. And, once I could hold you, my
dear, I couldn’t put you down. I was
determined to make up for those lost three days and I think that today I’m
still trying to do that. I want to spend
every second snuggling you, talking to you, playing with you, and just being
there for you. It’s what I do best and
because of this, we have formed a bond, that I was worried would be lacking
because of our time apart when you were first born. But, oh my, is it there. It is something fierce. And, it lights a fire in my heart that gives
me determination and courage to face this world. And it’s all because of you.
I can’t imagine my world without you. You have given me so much in the three years
(and four months) you’ve been in my life.
You’ve taught me perseverance, patience, love, determination, how to
admit my fears, and how to overcome those fears. You provide me with new challenges almost
every day, but every time we get through those challenges, I am ten times the
person I was before, and I am so thankful for you for giving me all of these
things and for choosing me to be your Momma.
There are so many things I love about you, but the things I
love the most are the little things.
There are these little characteristics that YOU, and only YOU, have. Things like when you lay down to go to sleep,
you fake snore for about three minutes before you actually fall asleep. Things like, when I get you a glass of
chocolate milk, you always sing, “Choc-o-late milk time! Choc-o-late milk time!” Or when I tell you I love you or how brave I
think you are or how much fun I think you are, you always look me in the eye
and say, “Fwanks (thanks) Mom.” Or that
you love to role-play and you are always assigning us characters from your
favorite shows…often asking us to dress in character. You love people, but you’re so shy…for
example, your aunts, who you’re so shy around, would never guess how excited
you get when you know you’re going to visit them. Or how you absolutely love babies and you are
so kind and loving to them all of the time.
Or how every night you say to dad, like it’s the biggest surprise, “Dad! You get to wuggle (snuggle) me tonight!” And his response is always just as
excited. Or how you rub Bella’s ears and
say, “Who is my dirl? Who is my dirl?” And her tail wags because she knows how much
you love her. I love it that you can
jump on the trampoline for hours…yes, hours.
Or, how when you’re sad or scared, you almost always turn to your
brother for a hug or a hand…and he’s always there for you. Or when you’re nervous or shy, you curl up in
my lap and tell me that you’re scared or cold or sad...and it makes me smile
that you can tell me this when just a few months ago, you couldn’t find the
words to express your feelings.
I love it all and I just wanted you to know.
My sweetie boy, you have my heart. I love you.
--Mom
