An Open Letter of Thanks to the Reasons I'm A Mom

Dear Aaron Michael and Logan Wade,

Thank you for making me, Mom. Tomorrow mothers all over the world will celebrate with flowers, a lovely brunch and a hand-made, hand-planted, hand-anything gift and they will swoon and say a hearty tearful thank you, and DON'T think I won't be that mom tomorrow.

But for now, 17 years ago, Aar you came into my life.  Ask my friends, Kristin, Kids? And they would have laughed none of them ever saw me as a diaper changing, puke cleaning up kinda gal.  Needless to say one August night you arrived and you didn't take no for an answer you needed a full time, no joke MOM.  You were demanding but patient, difficult but suspiciously cute at everything you did.

Moments of sitting on the floor in tears as we were both so tired and exhausted at the pace of being a single parent family in Las Vegas.  You were the one who would find the crayon box and a coloring book and turn any moment into the perfect time to color and for Scooby to make us laugh one more time.

We grew up together, let me say this better we are growing up together, through love and hate, through success and failure. You have taught me so much about this thing called life. That no matter the conditions, we are set forth with, you deal with them and they shouldn't bother anyone else cause they sure as heck don't both you.  Frankly, you have taken the good things in me and improved them. A high bride, for that matter. So much so, I am envious and speechless often at the Human you are becoming.

To my Tenderheart, eleven years ago, Single Mom me was ill prepared for the arrival of the life and path you have lead us all on.  It is said things happen for a reason and the day I met your dad I knew, he was meant to be a father and I, a mother to his kids.  Though your brother is the epitome of  unexpected arrivals you had your fair share of unexpected moments.  You changed me in ways your brother couldn't from the first sign of a baby bump to the moment it was decided you would be named after a Superhero(true fact) you have left me speechless more times then not.

You make me think, you make me laugh, you make me want to pull my hair out some days but over all you are a spit fire.  With the vocabulary of a 30 year old, I still wonder what we were thinking all those years ago to not "baby talk" with you.  In your soul I can see how wise you are, so different from your brother but so very similar. You, Tenderheart have taught me patience, you have taught me the skills of cookie negotiation and remote control etiquette; that betting you in anything is a suckers bet because you never place a bet you can't win. That Antomentium isn't really a thing, even if you are named after the Super Hero that has bones made out of them and that sometimes bones do break; that bravery comes in pint sizes and sometimes isn't fair.  You have shown me what it is like to FIGHT for those you believe in and that comedic timing and wit can change any moment into something to celebrate.

Boys, I tell you all this because there was a time when I didn't see myself as a Mom.  I was going to join the circus and be a Billionaire (Sorry, Dad.) From tickle monster wars to tearful 'I just want Mommy' moments, I'm a changed person because of you two.  One day you will grow up, and I won't be cool anymore.  And one day, as did I, you will disappoint me or your dad or both of us for that matter, and in that moment it will be just that, disappointing, but in the end I'm honored to be your Mom and I will always love you.

I'm proud of the young men you are and the Gentleman you will soon become.  So as much as tomorrow is a celebration of all 5 Million Moms out there I can't bare the day with out saying thank you for making me, Mom.