Friday, September 25, 2009

Twelve Years Ago

Dear First Child,

You were the biggest surprise of our young marriage.

The gift I didn't know that I needed.

Twelve years ago from this very moment, I was fast asleep. Tucked in bed and unaware that in two and a half hours I would wake up, and my water would break.

I would call your dad and tell him to come home.

It was time.

By 6:30 that evening, after a day full of labor, you would arrive by c-section, with an adorable black eye to match your black hair.

Nine and a half pounds, and you were hungry.

Your dad and I were awestruck, as we held you; a dream come sooner than we had planned, but fulfilled in Perfect Timing.

Twelve short years ago...

Yesterday, as we walked through the piney woods of North Carolina, I was so proud of the young man you are becoming.

You wanted Kona the Wondermutt to come with us...just in case we might need protection.

You walked, with Kona, ahead of us, to swipe at cobwebs, so your sister and I wouldn't have to walk through them.

You patiently, carefully, taught your little sister how to cross the stream without falling in, or getting her new sneakers wet.

You held overgrown branches back so we wouldn't have to touch them.

You called out the muddy spots, and the dangerous spots; the places of beauty.

Some might pessimistically shake their heads and claim chivalry is dead.

They haven't met you.

Chivalry is defined as:





    1. The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.


    2. manifestation of any of these qualities.





You are all these things, but your humble spirit makes all these qualities a hundred-fold more valuable.

Sweet Boy, you will always be my first born.

I'm tough on you.

I've learned from you.

I've made mistakes with you, but I will never forget that you are the surprise gift I am privileged to be given. 

You make me proud, though I can take no credit for who you are, or who you are becoming.

Today my prayer for you is the one I prayed for you over a decade ago:


"May the God who has been my shepherd
       all my life to this day,
 16 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm
       —may he bless (this) boy. "
          ~Genesis 48: 15-16



I love you,
Mom

(I was thinking about closing comments today, but instead I will leave them open...just in case you wanted to wish The Boy a Happy Birthday...)

24 comments:

Jenster said...

I do! I do want to wish this wonderful young man the very happiest of birthdays!! And to congratulate his parents on helping to guide him into the chivalrous boy he is!!

Tiffani said...

I have tears!! Because I SO incredibly have a precious boy turning 9 on Monday...and I agree with every.single.word about that firstborn boy...

What a precious gift they are to us...what a challenge and privilege to teach them to REMAIN chivalrous and brave and godly throughout their days..

Blessings to you, sweet Boy and Happiest of Birthdays!

Blue Skies said...

Happy Birthday to one very blessed young man. Hearing of you as you've grown, through the words of your mom, has made me proud (in the best kind of way). Not that I have had anything to do with it; but to know that a young man who loves Christ is growing up strong makes me excited for the future and the impact you will make on the world.

Melissa Angert {All Things Chic} said...

happy birthday to your sweet, sweet boy!!

Amber said...

I do!! I do!! I want to wish him a Happy Birthday!!

This post makes me so happy, because there are some days when I'm going through the motions with my 3 little men and I think that I've gone absolutely crazy and am raising nothing but future characters on COPS. But you give me hope. And help me remember that I'm raising men of God....men that will swat down cobwebs. Just because they know it is the right thing to do!

Hope his birthday is amazing!!

Carpool Queen said...

As I've had the great delight in spending time with him, I can say with all confidence that he will grow to be a good man.

I only wish I had a daughter so I could claim him for her.

Happy Birthday, dear one.

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Happy Birthday!

He sounds like a wonderful young man...

Gretchen said...

My heart is so tender as I read this, Kellie. Happy, happy b'day to this marvelous, chivalrous boy. Happy b'day to his parents, too.

I don't want you to think me too forward, but I'd like to talk to you & the Mister about an arranged marriage. I think our children would be very happy, but more importantly, we MILs would have soooo much fun!

really.truly said...

I'm with Tiff...I have tears too! What a sweet happy birthday message for your son. 12 short years....that really resonated with me. Time goes by so quickly!

Laura said...

Happy Birthday to the boy!! He is an amazing child. So strong and yet so gently.

I am excited to read this post as I feel and see the same things with my soon, very soon, to be 11 year old boy. I have to share 2 things about him. 1st his teacher at school pulled him aside to tell him his Oral report was the best one she had heard and he had a future in public speaking, from neath death when he was born at 29 weeks, this makes me cry. 2nd, we were at a party and an elderly women kept commenting to us how well behaved and nice he was, she dropped a plate and he picked it up, he took her trash for her, he handed her a napkin when she wasn't asking, It makes me so happy, beyond words to Know that your boy and my boy will be our future men and men of God.

I pray to the Almighty God, that we and they survive the teenage years:)))(thanks for letting me share)

stephanie j. said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

meh said...

Happy Birthday to The Boy! I can't believe you are already 12!

One of the things I have observed about you over the years is that you are genuinely interested in others and concerned for them. You find things to talk about that they will find interesting. You relate to people in such a way that they feel special. I look forward to watching God continue to mold and shape you into a man after His own heart.

Anonymous said...

To the Boy: Happy Birthday! I can attest to your chivalry firsthand. One of my very first encounters with you was at a picnic where you offered me your chair. I was very impressed and still am. I think you are a wonderful young man. Have a great day! K2

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

I hope my boys grow up to be the gentleman you are and that my daughter marries someone as chivalrous as you.

Anonymous said...

I am so proud of you Son. I have enjoyed every bit of your growing up, and looking forward to what lies ahead. Happy Birthday, Austin!

Love,

Dad (The Mister)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday my sweet grandson!
I miss you so much and can't wait until our next adventure.
I love you!
Grannie

Lori said...

What a sweet post! Made me a bit teary, I must admit. Bet you'll have a fun weekend celebrating your boy! :)

The Buntens said...

Happy Birthday to The Boy! What a very sweet tribute to your guy.

Musings of a Homeschooling Mom said...

What a sweet post! I hope he's had a fantastic day! Happy Birthday to him!

Jessica

LJ said...

Hello Birthday Boy,

I hope you have an extra incredible birthday! I want to share with you the following was given to me on a plaque from my grandmother on my 12th birthday:

What we are is our gift from God,
What we become is our gift to God!

Best wishes from your friends in TX

Jackie said...

Happy, happy birthday! What a special young man you have there, Kellie. "The gift I didn't know I needed..." love that.

And I LOVE that your hubby left him a comment here. So good to see dads that are proud of their sons, and aren't afraid to say it.

adrienne said...

happy birthday!

i wonder all the time what my 8 year old boy will grow to be. i never had a brother, so this is all new. i am in awe that God would give me a son to see turn into a man!

Anonymous said...

Kellie - your boy is so sweet.. what a wonderful young man you guys are raising!

The Boy - I hope you had a great birthday!

His Girl said...

Wow, I am so late to the party, but I can't move on without wishing the Boy a happy 12th year...

And Kellie, thank you for loving your boy just right... knowing who he is and recognizing his gifts. What a blessing to have a mother like you... xoxox