Dear Kye,
I find myself spending more and more days trying to remember you as a baby. As I hold your baby sister I struggle to find the memories of you being in diapers. Our cuddles while I nursed you. The silly, adorable little things you did all day that made me smile. Those memories are getting so far in the distance that they are becoming more difficult for me to grasp. This breaks my heart!
You were the first baby I ever carried in my womb. The baby who made me a mother. Who showed me my greatest passion in this life. And now? You are truly a big boy. All evidence of babyhood is long gone. Your little baby gut has disappeared and now you have little abs where that baby chubbiness once was. Your fat chunky fingers are now long, your hands beginning to lose that sweet baby softness. I can no longer shop for you in the toddler section of the store. You are wearing boxer briefs that I often confuse with Daddy’s when I do the laundry. You make your own bed, completely dress yourself, and truly help with household chores.
While it’s easy to get caught up in missing the baby parts of you, I’m simply in awe of the person you are becoming. I wonder how your huge heart possibly fits in your small chest. You love so fully and so completely and give your whole self to everything you do and everyone you love. You inspire me on a daily basis to be a better person. To put others ahead of myself and to live a life for Jesus. I can only imagine the ways you will lead your peers in the years to come. You are a light in this world. God has called you to bring others to Him and I have full faith that you will do amazing things for His kingdom.
I love the closeness that we share. We are cut from the same mold in so many ways. As you are getting older, I’m seeing more and more of your Daddy begin to surface but I’m still there too. I love that we just understand each other in a way that others may not “get us.” You think deeply and have a tender heart. I love our talks and love answering the tough questions you ask as well as listen to you as you share your thoughts and feelings with me. You are mature beyond your years in so many ways, and I do my best not to allow you to grow up too quickly. I cherish the moments of your silliness. Your goofy songs, crazy games, and you infections laugh.
Seeing you with your sisters never gets old for me. I am so thankful for the love you have for them and the intense desire you have to protect them and watch over them. Sometimes you use it to your advantage that they adore you! Seeing you with Tess is a bond I’ve never before seen. From the moment you first met her, you were just in love! Your face lights up every time you see her and you have pure joy and admiration in your eyes. I pray as she grows up that you will only continue to feel so strongly about her. I know it’s a lot of pressure for you being the oldest child, but you wear the badge proudly and always step up to the plate. You handle responsibilities with great care and do a very good job staying patient when the girls aren’t able to relate to the things you try to explain to them.
This past year has been so amazing. We really embraced the “days before baby” and made so many fun memories together in the days leading up to Tess’s birth. Our ski trip was so, so fun. It was a great experience to see you enjoy a new sport and take to it so quickly. It was such a bonding trip for you and Britt and I’ve only seen your friendship continue to grow and deepen since. Of course our beach days and Disney trips are among my favorite memories. I cannot believe you are already old enough to be out in the ocean boogie boarding on your own or that you’re tall and brave enough to be riding all the “big kid” rides at Disney! Every vacation is such an adventure and you make it SO fun.
I am so thankful for your easy-going spirit. You make the tough days a little easier for me and you never complain when your desires sometimes get put on the back burner because life is often crazy. You are quick to step in and offer a helping hand when it’s needed and you have the ability to smooth over situations that may be a little out of hand (aka when your toddler sister has a tough day!). I always, always appreciate you and never want you to think that your contributions to our family go unnoticed or unappreciated. I thank God for you many times a day. You are a blessing to us all and to all who meet you!
I cannot get over the many ways you have grown up this year. Physically, yes, but also in your abilities. Your reading amazes me. You read with such emotion in your words and can read so well and so easily. I envy your beautiful handwriting…I have no clue where you could have gotten it from! I love that you enjoy reading and I especially love our chapter book reading time together. You are a great student in school, although I know you are ready to have some boys to play with in your class next year!
As we look ahead to all day school in the fall I have such a mixture of emotions. I know, 100%, that you are READY and that you will do AMAZING. You will make so many friends and have so much fun and I truly believe this year was a great preparation time for the transition for you. While you may be ready, I’m pretty much a nervous wreck about it. I will miss having you home with us for lunch. I will miss tucking you in at nap time. I will miss you being here in the afternoons. I will miss you. And I worry about you. Being in such a big school. Riding the bus. It’s a big transition for you, but it’s also a big one for me. And it’s another step towards your independence. Slowly starting to cut the apron strings. I have worked hard to prepare you for this world and I pray that I have guided you on a path that will help you resist the dark temptations and help bring others towards the light.
As I think about your future I see you being such a strong leader. I can picture you being a loving and devoted husband. A very hands-on father. I’m truly so thankful for the amazing example you have from your daddy on the kind of man to strive to be. I hope that I am showing you the type of woman you hope to find as a wife. You have big plans to sell Aflac and to buy the house next door to ours. Of course I’m okay with that! 😉 Whatever you decide to do I believe you will find success and happiness.
You have really begun to listen and pay attention during church services and playing more of an active role in worship. It’s precious to hear you sing the songs and hear you “preach” to your sister. I know the day will come soon when you will be involved in the worship assembly. I can picture you leading prayers and songs. Who knows, maybe you will even want to preach! More than anything though I hope you live a life for Jesus and marry someone who will have the goal of Heaven with you. I pray you lead your children down a righteous path!
I often tell you how much I love you and how special you are to me. I mean it wholeheartedly. You are so loved! From your head to your toes you are exactly who God wanted to be my son. I wouldn’t change a single thing and I’m just so thankful to be your mom. I love that my role as your parent is now in a more guidance phase than one of correction and discipline. You know right from wrong, you have your own conscious that guides you in your decision making. I’m here to help guide you, correct you as needed, and support you. I always want you to know that the lines of communication are open with me. I know, especially as a boy, that you may not always feel comfortable showing emotions to others…but you can always show them to me! We’ve had our moments of tears together from time to time and I always want you to know that I am here to listen, offer advice, and have your back.
It seems like there has been such a big change from being 5 to 6. More than any other year I just feel like you have grown up SO much! I always say that you are a “legit kid now” and it’s true. This year is sure to be so fun together! I look forward to all the fun trips we have planned and am especially excited for the lazy days of summer together before 1st grade in the fall! I know it’ll be an adjustment during the school year but it will also make our weekends and school breaks all that more special.
I am so, so proud of you. For the good choices you make but, even more so, for the wonderful person that you are. Thank you for being my baby boy and I hope that you will never grow out of wanting to tell me about your day, having me sing to you at night, and occasionally letting me hold your sweet hand. Happy Birthday Kye! I love you most! You are gold 🙂
Love, Mommy xoxoxo
You can see the past birthday letters here:
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