Two Years Ago Today (subtitle: Grab Your Kleenex Box)

(If you missed last night's post, you might want to start there first.)

Two years ago today was the hardest day of my life. As an over-attached mom of an only child, I was not emotionally prepared to let go of my son.

About to wake my Smoochie up for the last time.

On the morning of his wedding, two years ago today, I gave him a card with a poem in it that said:

I sometimes wish you were still small,
Not yet so big and strong and tall.
For when I think of yesterday,
I close my eyes and see you play.

I often miss that little boy
Who pestered me to buy a toy,
Who filled my days with pure delight
From early morn to late at night.

We watch our children change and grow
As seasons come, then quickly go.
But our God has a perfect plan
To shape a boy into a man.

Today, my son, I’m proud of you
For all the thoughtful things you do.
I’ll love you till my days are done,
And I’m so grateful you’re my son.

That's right, ladies! If I have to cry today remembering all of this, I'm taking you all down with me!!


Next, I gave him a book called "Let Me Hold You Longer." The book starts with:

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave me to your past,

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts...

The book goes on to talk about all of the "lasts" that you don't realize are "lasts" as they are happening. The last time you give them a bottle; the last time they ask you to tuck them in; the last time they need you to kiss their boo-boos. And how if you would realize as that moment is happening that it is actually the last time, you would make it last longer... hence the name "Let Me Hold You Longer".

I gave him the book and had him read it out loud to me. I wish I had thought to record it... not that I'd ever have it in me to be able to watch it! He started crying halfway through the book and cried until the end. It's such a sweet memory to me now.

My baby boy shaving for his wedding.

Before I knew it, the wedding had come. I remember during the ceremony being overwhelmed by the realization that the hardest day of my life and the best day of Steven's life were one and the same.

First kiss... ever.

And then the tables were turned. After the sentimental card and book that morning, Steven had some sentimentality of his own up his sleeve. He surprised me at the reception with "our song" from his childhood... "You'll Be in My Heart" by Phil Collins (from the animated Tarzan movie). Some of the lyrics:

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

To say it was an emotional moment is a bit of an understatement...

Just for the record... he cried too!

Hey, stop sniffling! It has a happy ending. I'm surviving, and here's the happy couple, two years later. Ok, technically one year and 364 days later. I took this picture yesterday. :)