Dear Aidan,
Oh, how fitting. I’m two days late. It’s cool though–you weren’t exactly Mr. Party Pants on your actual birthday. But you and me? We always make it work.
So I picked you up from your dad’s on your birthday and, as is typical for a Tuesday, you were rather tired. I don’t know if you don’t sleep quite as well when you’re away or if it’s something else, but you’re usually pretty tuckered out. I had baked cupcakes, presents were wrapped and we were heading over to Grandma’s. You fell asleep in the car.
I shrugged it off, had some tea and relaxed with Grandma. And then 8:30 rolled around. Which is after your normal bedtime. And there you were, still sleeping! So I woke you up, lit your birthday candles, sang and…had to blow the candles out myself. Because you didn’t want to. And you didn’t even want to open your presents! You gave me a “totally can’t believe you woke me up for this” look and when back to the couch and back to sleep.
Well, then. Grandma and I carried on with our plans (watching Michigan State basketball) and you kept dreaming.
You were born at 10:15 pm. (After 15 hours of labor, might I add.) And interestingly you woke up right around 10:15 pm. It was late, mid-game and NOW you were ready to celebrate! Since it was your birthday, I was a pushover and re-lit the candles. You loved your presents. And Kyle and I are sneaky, so you don’t even know that your big present of a trip to Great Wolf Lodge is still on the way!
You know kid, you’re stubborn and you drive me crazy. But you’ve taught me a lesson no one else ever could have. I have workaholic tendencies, evidenced by a 14-hour work day yesterday. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be working 60 hour weeks. And while yesterday’s project work and last night’s dinner with global colleagues was important, you’ve made me understand that nothing will ever be more important than family.
I was a working mother by necessity before, I’ll continue to be a working mother by choice now. It’s important to me to work hard, to exercise my brain in ways that extend beyond teaching you to read and making math worksheets for you in the morning. (On a side note, totally can’t believe you crossed off my 5′s and 6′s because they weren’t up to your penmanship standards.) But because of you, family will always be my number one priority.
You, my dear child, trump everything. You always will.
I’m in disbelief that you’re six already and can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for us. Thanks for rocking out anything with me, for your patience, for being so excited when I pick you up after work. Thank you for making me slow down, for showing me that the best things in life are the smallest, unplanned occurrences and for always wanting to “cozy me.” Happy Birthday to the boy who is the perfect son for me. I love you, Aidan.
Love,
Mama
Adoring each other.
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