Sam

Every night he rushes up to me, arms stretched out, needing one more hug.  Every single night.  It is one of the highlights of my day, a constant in an unpredictable, chaotic life.  I hope he knows what it means to me.

And he says things to me that make my heart swell...

"Mama, when I grow up, I want to marry you.  And when I marry you, will you never, ever break up with me?"

As he wrapped his arms around my neck for a hug, he told me, "Mama, I want to hug you so, so tight.  I want to make my arms like a belt around you."

I told him that I love everything about him.  And he told me the same.  "What?" I asked.  "What do you love?"  "You, Mama.  Just you.  I just love you Mama."

Tonight, I scooped him up in my arms and his toes touched the floor.  I begged him to stop growing.  And to stop having birthdays.  He laughed and ran away to play.  Every day, I tell him how happy he makes me.  And he smiles and says, "How happy?"  "You make me the happiest Mama in the whole wide world."  I hope he'll always know that.  And just in case he might forget, I'll continue to tell him.  Every single day.