Sweet 16 – What?!

He paces when he talks to me. Back and forth his body moves while the words flow. I try really hard to focus on every word, but as I watch him all I can usually think about is how my tiny boy has grown into a confident, engaging, fascinating, handsome young man…and I just feel so grateful to be his mom.

Today Corbett turns 16.

I’m not even sure what to do with that or how to process it. I heard a country song over the weekend about going back in time and doing stuff again – like learning to drive a car. I’ve been teaching him to drive for months and in the process of that I lost sight of how incredible something so simple is. How memorable it is. Everyone remembers learning to drive a car.

If I think about the past, it makes my heart hurt a little knowing how fast it all went. If I think of the future, it makes my heart hurt a little knowing it is all unknown. I have today with him and there is nothing sad about that. I have today.

There are a million things about him I could share. A million things I love. A few things that drive me nuts. I’ll look back on this post one day (like I do the ones when he was 6) and what is something I will want to be reminded of?

With that in mind, I want to include a story I shared on instagram a few weeks ago. It is Corbett at 16 to me…

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I have a feeling this will be one of those unforgettable days of childhood for her. “Little Women” is her favorite book, so when Corbett told her he’d take her to see the movie it has been all she can think about. The last few nights she has had trouble falling asleep. Today she couldn’t concentrate to do any school work. The excitement has been nearly too much for her.?

 

I know she will like the movie, but I also know it wasn’t the movie that welled up all the smiles and giggles of anticipation. He is taking her to a movie – a fairly normal activity for most people, but for her it is wildly exciting because HE is taking HER. He bought her a movie ticket and snacks, but the real treat was his time – not many gifts speak love to her like that one.

Happy Birthday Corbett – always drive like I am sitting the passenger seat next to you and your little sisters are in the back 😉