Dear Son,
I remember being pregnant thinking that I would love the little baby inside of me, but I had no clue how this love would take over my life. I held you as a new born still unaware of how strong my love would be for you.
As you grew, your smile became my sunshine, and your laughter became my joy. It is my greatest pleasure to kiss your face and to hold you tight. My greatest triumph is watching your grow and learn.
You amaze me everyday at how much you know and all that you can do! I like to think it has something to do with all the steaks and hamburgers I ate when I was pregnant, but I'm sure it is just because God made you so special. I want you to always know that the thirst for overcoming obstacles and determination you possess now will always be inside you.
If you happen to get to a point in life when you just aren't sure that you can do something, I will be there to let you know that you can because I've seen you when you couldn't... I've seen you walk then run... I've seen you master the impossible.
I constantly pray for you and your safety and your growth. I've never wanted anything more in my life than those things. I pray for your wisdom and patience. I want you to grow to be a kind man who is gentle and empathetic... but not to a fault. I want you to stand up for yourself and for others. I want you to be good and strong.
I want you to have the courage I didn't have and the intrinsic self-motivation I always wanted. I want you to be a go-getter and a good example for others. I will do my very best to set you up for a great future, and when your future begins, I want you to conquer it fearlessly so that you can establish a great foundation for your own children.
It is true that you can do anything! You are the great-great-grandson of slaves and the great-grandson of sharecroppers and domestic workers who had very little. You can do anything because all of your predecessors worked so hard for you to have more. Your father and I will continue to work to provide you with the opportunities we didn't have or weren't wise enough to take.
I want you to make your own mistakes and learn from them. You need to know what it feels like to fail at something, and you need to know what it feels like to get back up and try again. There will be times when you are discouraged... and that is ok. But you need to be resilient enough to come up with a plan and start over. No matter how old you are, no matter your circumstance, I'll be here to pick you up, dust, you off, and set you on your way.
You are the absolute love of my life, and I couldn't have been given a better kid to raise! You're so awesome, and I honestly believe that you're going to take off like a shooting star and change the world for the better. I want you to always remember that I am your mom first, and that means that I will always have your back.
I will forever be your cheerleader. And one day when tomorrow doesn't come for me, I want you to know in your heart that I will always believe in your greatness. I love your more today than all the days of the last two years combined, and I will love you even more tomorrow!
Love,
Mama
