Letting Go for Growing Up

So... I've always been that overprotective mom that wasn't willing to share her children with just anyone. Dylan has never spent the night away from me... just the thought was always too much to handle. Then comes dear, sweet Nathan. Dylan's partner in crime. Well, frankly, they are both such good kids they can't be partners in crime... partners in... well, (for brain's sake, I'm hearing sponge bob in the background so my train of thought is being interrupted) partners in gum chewing and mud slingin'.

Well, for a couple of weeks Nathan's mom has been inviting Dylan over for a sleepover. I toyed the idea and ran it past Dylan. He inquired as to the "point" of a sleepover and what exactly was to be done at "said event". After further, detailed explanation--two weeks to be precise, Nathan's mom invited him again. This time, his answer was a very decisive yes.

For one solid week all I heard was, "When am I going to Nathan's house?" Not once a day, not twice a day, but everytime Dylan had the pleasure of seeing my face. Today (the very day of the sleepover) was much worse. All day he ran back and forth, when is Nathan's mommy going to get here? When am I going? The worst part was when he explained that he wanted to stay at Nathan's house "forever and ever and ever". It broke my heart, but at that very same moment I felt damn proud. My little boy, the same little boy that had to be delivered 2 1/2 months early, that same little boy that doctors said would be sickly and "slower" than most boys his age, the same little boy that wouldn't let anyone else but Mommy or Daddy hold him, has grown into my handsome young man. And to top all that... he's taller than most boys his age, he's average weight for his height, and he's not slow... he can do everything that is expected of four year olds and then some.


That is Dylan on the left eating dinner at his bestfriend Nathan's house. That is Nathan on the right. Photos courtesy of April - Nathan's Mommy.

Below: Dylan playing with train set at Nathan's house.



Oh yeah, when I was getting ready to leave he told me, "Happy Mother's Day... and it's a surprise mommy, you are getting a walking Mommy dinosaur." Such a sweet guy! And just 4! I love him so dang much!!!

I'm a proud mama tonight. My little boy is growing up. It breaks my heart to be letting go... to have to let go, but to know that I can let go and he will do well and succeed makes me feel like screaming out with joy. This job might be hard... being a mommy might be hard... but right now I dwell in the joy that I have done him well, he is doing me well!

Dylan, tonight your mommy is so proud of you!