Double Digits, Baby!

I can't lie. For the last few months, I have been emotionally anticipating June 22nd and its significance . June 22nd is Hayden's birthday .He will turn ten tomorrow. Ten. A decade. To quote him,"double digits, baby !" A tremendous milestone .
For the last ten years, I have checked off milestones and celebrated them. Each one marking another moment of life , of childhood ,that my child got to experience. Each one a gift. An unexpected gift.
It is incredibly hard to believe that we are reaching this milestone. As it is with all parents, time has flown by. As it is not with all parents, we didn't know if we'd get to see this day.
I can't say that these ten years have been easy. I can say that they have taught me more than I thought I could learn. I've learned that my family and friends are amazingly supportive and would( and have) do anything for us. I've learned that giving is so much better than taking. I've learned who I can count on and who runs scared in the face of adversity. I've learned to trust my instincts. I've learned to have hope and faith . I've learned that my "habit" of being too honest is a good thing. I've learned that the man I married is more patient, strong, kind, giving ,loving and funny than I ever imagined he'd be. I have learned that a little, sweet, smart, brave, strong,silly, caring , dancing, always singing , strawberry blonde boy with half a heart has more heart than anyone I have ever met.  Mostly, I've learned to take it all in and enjoy every minute and milestone .
Happy Birthday, Chai. I love you.