Dear Zander,
You will have many valentines through the years. This first year will be family members (mommy, daddy, grandparents, aunts, and uncles). Over time, there will be friends, girlfriends, and one day...your wife. Already I am praying for the person that God has picked out for you to spend the rest of your life with. My parents prayed for your daddy when I was a little girl. It is so exciting to see how God works...... I knew your daddy all through high school but it wasn't until the end of college that we decided to start dating. I knew your daddy would one day be my husband and your father (even though we hadn't met you yet) a few months after we started dating. Your daddy has a way of making me laugh when I want to cry or scream! ;) He has a look that he gives me to help me calm down when I am not being as patient as I could be. We also can have the best conversations on a long car ride or sitting in bed before we fall asleep. I pray that one day you will find that person that makes you smile the way daddy can make me smile and can talk (or listen) to you for hours whether in the car, in your house, or over the phone (your daddy and I did this a lot the first year we were dating since he lived in Charlotte and I was in Greensboro). I pray that when you find the person God has intended for you that you will feel comfortable being yourself. I pray that you will keep God in the center of your relationship, and that as the "man of the house" (crazy to think about since you are nine months old!), you will be an encourager for each family member just as your daddy is in our household. You are lucky to have your daddy as a role model for you as you grow up. He will show you how to do a lot of projects around our house, how to participate in different sports, how to be patient and kind, how to be a leader, how to get into trouble, and how to get out of said mischief. (You may team up against your mom from time to time!) You should see the way your daddy picks you up and sometimes holds you upside down or tickles you under your arm just to get a smile to appear on your precious little face or a little laugh to be heard. I know there will be more moments like this between your daddy and you. The phrase "like father, like son" comes to mind as I type this. I hope you get a lot of your daddy's qualities because he is such an awesome man to follow as an example. Now.... as for being your mom... so far... it has been the most amazing and the most challenging experience of my life. I love you so very much! I love when I wake you up on a Saturday morning and see a bright smile cross your face when I say "good morning". I love that we can read a story together every day (usually in the morning and other moments that we can grab a book and read). I love the way you are pulling up on furniture and are always looking back at me to make sure I am close by. I love the smile you give when I pick you up from "school" that lets me know you recognize who I am. I love the way you laugh when I make silly noises. I love the way you sometimes fall asleep on my shoulder at bedtime and then as I put you in your crib you will slowly roll from your back to your left side. I love your chubby legs and your blue eyes. I love that your hair is getting thicker (especially in the back... which is where my hair is the thickest). I love that you look like your daddy. I love your hands and your toes. I love wrapping you up in a towel (aka "baby burrito") after a bath. I love your cute little baby butt! ;) Basically, I love everything about you and that is why being your mother is one of the most awesome experiences of my life. The challenging part I was referring to... is when you will sometimes refuse the food I am offering you for dinner. You will keep your mouth shut tight as if to say, "no green beans or corn for me today, mom!" It is also sometimes challenging when you will cry if I am not holding you because I am trying to get dinner ready or clean the bottles from that day and label the bottles for the next day. It is equally challenging to put a diaper and clothes on you at this age. You are so wiggly and would rather crawl or stand than just be still! I say all this... so that one day... when you have a child of your own.... you will know how exciting and hard it is to be a parent. I don't want you to think that this "job" comes easy! I have a new appreciation for all of your grandparents for helping your daddy and I grow into the adults we have become. I know each stage of your life will bring more exciting moments and tough times. Regardless of how things are.... just know that I love you very much! I hope that each year on Valentine's Day you will continue to feel loved by the people in your life. Please don't ever question the love that your daddy and I have for you. We love you, son!
Love,
Mommy
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