seven

Seven years ago today, a blue-eyed, round-faced boy was born. Our first born.

We only thought we knew what it meant to be tired.
We only thought we knew how hard it would be.
'Why didn't anybody explain to us what having a baby would mean?' we wondered.
But is it even possible to explain?

We found out we're a lot stronger than we knew. Endless sleepless nights, hours upon hours upon hours of nursing, bathing, nurturing. All of it worth it.

First smiles, first words, first steps, first grade. How has it gone so fast?

Seven years later we know you so much better. You're an artist, a comedian, a big brother, a perfectionist. A really good boy. You have transformed before our eyes from soft and round to tall and lanky. Sometimes in your face I catch glimpses of the baby you were and the man you will become.

My mind is already calculating: Just eleven years until you leave us. How could this have happened?

We only thought we knew what love was before we had you.

Boy, were we wrong.