:: A Love Letter to our Little Man, on His Birthday ::
Dearest Seth,
You are SEVEN today…. How in the world did time go by so quickly?
In all honesty, it seems as if only yesterday that we were frantically driving to the hospital to deliver you. I remember your birth so vividly in my head, perhaps because it was a bit traumatic on my end! Your daddy and I barely made it to the hospital before you decided to make your entrance into the world! Just 35 minutes we had to endure patiently before meeting you. You were our tiniest baby…. just 6 pounds, 9 ounces. I’ll never forget those first tender weeks cradling you in my arms and keeping you all to myself. It was hard for me to let you out of my arms. As you grew…. you had the same issue with me! You only wanted Mommy to hold you. No one else! We called you my little koala for that very reason.
The best part of your earliest years was watching you and Ryan together. It is clear to us that you two were always meant to be brothers… truly best friends from the start! We have hundreds of memories of you boys tackling each other, playing in your blow-up pool, riding bikes & scooters, going on walks with Tank, and making day trips to the San Diego Zoo. There has never seemed like much of an age gap between you and Ry…. You just have always been able to keep up!
When you were just 20 months old, your sister was born. You had to grow up fast {remember, you were my little koala!}. It still breaks my heart, to this day, thinking back to how you instantly became a big boy. You moved out of your nursery and into a room with Ryan where you two had matching toddler beds. We had to push them next to each other so they were touching, so you two could be as close as possible! You used to ask me, in your sweetest voice, “Mommy, hold you please?” When Sophia was born…. you stopped asking. It was as if you knew another baby needed my arms, so you willingly let me go….
That’s how you’ve always been, Sethy… from the very start. You are such an empathetic and selfless human being. You have this remarkable way of knowing what others need and you sacrifice your own needs and desires to make sure that they are okay. Sometimes, as your parents…. it’s hard to watch, but we know that God gave you a servant’s heart for a reason. He has big plans for you, little man….
You are the first to pray before each meal…. Thanking God for all that you have. You are also the first to say “please” and “thank you.”
You have your own sense of style! You went through a phase where you liked wearing ties over t-shirts with flannels. You couldn’t be cuter if you tried! You love bright colors and can rock shades and oversized baseball hats like no one else can. You’re totally a “cool kid” without even trying….
You are funny, witty, and smart! We can’t believe how quickly you can come up with one-liners! You keep us on our toes!
You are an observer like your daddy. You take everything in, and assess situations carefully before getting involved. You come across as shy at first, but break out of your shell when you’re comfortable.
You need affection the most, but are the least likely to outwardly seek it. You internalize your emotions. When you are upset, we know there is only one thing you need… a bit more attention and a great big hug.
You love your stuffed animals! You set them up in their little spots around you before going to sleep for the night.
You give me “walk by kisses” and hug me so tight at night, whispering to me that you never want to let me go {I don’t want to let go either, my sweet boy}….
You want to be a firefighter like Daddy. You still love fire engines, trains, and work trucks like you did when you were a toddler.
You make breakfast for everyone who wants it each morning… {as long as it’s toasted waffles that they’re in the mood for, of course}!
You love your friends, especially Tyler, your very best bud! Funny thing is that Tyler’s personality is just like that of Ryan’s. You feel so comfortable being completely yourself around the two of them…
You look most like Daddy, but have freckles like Mommy! We love each one of those sweet angel kisses! You have the most gigantic deep brown eyes, we have ever seen…. with the longest, most beautiful eyelashes! That combined with your charm is going to make the girls swoon!
We love you so much, Seth Elijah! You bring out the very best in those around you. To know you, is truly, to love you. We are so proud of you! We are so incredibly blessed to have you as a son! We can’t wait to see how God uses you in this world! Let your light shine….
Happy 7th Birthday!!!!
