Love Like This-21 Years!

Who knew 21 years ago when I first became a mom that love could be like this?  

David and I were full time college students with work on the side.  Our first anniversary found us interning in beautiful Idaho.  That fall we began school as Senior and Sophomore with work filling up the hours we were not studying.  When....ta da.... we found out we would be parents.  Oh My Gosh....

So 21 years ago?  I had just turned 21.   David was working hard to finish school, graduate and find a job. I had puked for 9 months.   When we found out that our baby would come by C-Section we scheduled it like the practical people we are...on David's graduation.  The families would only have  one trip to make.

Our Doctor in this tiny rural hospital was a retired OBGYN from California.  The hospital staffed with friends from work and school.  They made booties, clothes and had volunteer Grandmothers to rock the babies in the nursery.

He was born on April 26th at 7:35.  I was out while he was born and missed when he cried his first cry.  His Dad followed him to the nursery to oversee the cleaning up and weighing and held him first.  Grandma Jessie, Grandma Barb and his three little Aunts had their noses glued to the nursery glass.

The first time I held him, he turned his head, lifted it and looked right at me with those dark knowing eyes framed with a full head of dark hair.  It was almost as if he was saying, "Hi Mom..so that's what you look like."  

And here he was.  This person that I had come to know before he was born.  Who didn't like confined spaces and was always on the move.  Who love music and quieted when David and I read out-loud.

I was stunned.

Who knew love could be like this?

And we were off.  David graduated college that night and together the three of us and our families celebrated in our hospital room.

Six weeks later found us moving to our first house...basement apartment with sweet Mr. Frye.  Guineas, geese, grey hound dogs and pigs provided ample entertainment.  

Life was and is a grand opportunity.  An adventure.  For a little boy and young man with an insatiable curiosity and love of learning...the world is a huge place!

Twenty two months later-he became a big brother.  Five years later he had two younger brothers who adored him.

This son of mine continues to live life large.  Doing what he was created to do.  Teach.  Create. Learn.  Climb trees, camp and jump out of planes.  To build.  

Not so different then the baby.  Or the two year old who was obsessed with legos and climbing trees.   It took him a while to get back around to be who he is.  

His Dad and I?   So proud of him.  Humbled that God let us be his parents.  Still stunned and amazed at how love can be like this.