Letters to Jack: F I V E.

Jack,

A week ago today, you woke up and were FIVE!

I feel split down the middle. . .on one hand, of COURSE you’re five! Haven’t you always been with me?! On the other hand, HOW are you five? I swear it was just a few days ago that a doctor handed you to me, you looked at me, and our life together started.

I love you beyond anything I could ever type here, but since I’m a writer, I’m going to try to share a few reasons  love you so much at five.

You are so, so kind. So empathetic to others. When we go out and you see someone alone, you always ask me if they’re okay. Where’s their mom, you want to know. Do they have any friends? Are they lonely? Do they want to sit with us?

You are fiercely independent and incredibly clingy at the same time. This means you want to do everything on your own, but you want me riiiiiight there while you do it. While it can be a teeny bit exausting now, I know I’m getting a peek into the incredibly strong and loyal adult you’ll one day be.

You love school. Learning new things is your favorite, and you spend all day reciting facts and numbers you’ve learned. Your big thing right now is time – you’ve got a watch and an alarm clock, and you spend a lot of time talking about them and what time it is. Your absolute favorite things are hot wheels, paw patrol, and, still going strong, watching Roomba reviews on YouTube.

I say this often, but I hope you always know how true it is: You are the best thing that has ever, ever happened to me.

You are everything good in this world. We don’t deserve you, not even a little bit, but I’m so happy we get you anyway. You make everything better, everything brighter, everything sweeter. The world is already so much better because you’re in it, and you’re only five. The thought of how much better the world will continue to be because of you blows my mind.

Please stay fiercely, fully you and in love with life forever. It is a joy to watch.

I love you,

Mama xo