Emilio - 8

Emilio,

There is this thing I do every night, you know about it, where I check on you before I go to bed. I make sure I can hear or see you breathing. I tuck you in a little tighter so you don’t wake up cold in the middle of the night.

I’ve been doing it since you were an infant.

That’s 8 years.

Your birth, your arrival into our lives was a defining moment for me. In so many ways. And you my boy have been continuing to define our lives in deep ways. And that is how it should be. Your Dad and I chose to become parents, actively worked to make that happen, and since then we’ve ensured that we are building lives to provide for you. Access to education, access to sports you’re passionate about, experiences that help mold and shape you, fighting for a better world for you to grow up in.

This past year has been one of the immense shifts and changes, and I think out of all of us you have weathered them beautifully.

I continue to be impressed with your ability to do what is needed, even when you don’t want to. Sure you may make us slightly miserable complaining about it, but I always know you’ll do what you need to.

Since you were little you’ve loved to be included and with the people you love the most. Your number one ask is still, “Will you play with me?” You love to be actively involved with one or both of us. Whether it is playing a game, playing disc golf or basketball, or building legos you want someone doing it with you. This makes you a very inclusive kid, you’ll play with any one. It is sweet to watch how you include kids of any age in to your play. It is something your teachers have told me about and I hope you always stay open to any one and everyone and help make people feel included.

Sometimes I look at you, this kid who can basically do everything on his own now and I can’t ever believe you were an infant totally reliant on me and your Dad. I look at you effortlessly putting together lego sets and I think back to you as a toddler walking around yelling ball and waving Hi at people.

You made us a family, you joined our lives and turned your Dad and I in to parents. You taught us about patience, unconditional love, and more about who we are as people than I realized a child could. You have challenged me every day to be a better parent. You probably don’t realize this, but you have made your Dad and me better people.

I love you buggy and I’m so excited to see what you do this coming year.

Love,

Mama