yesterday we celebrated your second birthday,
and i sit in disbelief that it has already been that long
since you arrived five weeks early at five pounds even.
you stole our hearts right away and showed your dad and me
what it meant to love a child. we are closer to God because of you.
hutch, you are a man on the move and a man of many (loud) words.
your scooter and your feet are your favorite modes of transportation,
you prefer being outside far more than inside,
and love playing catch and making touchdowns.
in other words, you are all boy.
when the need for discipline arises,
you don't get flustered. you play it cool,
often saying, "well, then bye-bye,"
before sneaking around the corner
in an effort
to continue doing whatever action
is being called out.
you make us laugh every day with your sweet, silly antics,
your sense of adventure is contagious,
and we marvel as you strive to get your rambling run-on sentences out in one breath,
often leaving you with a beet-red face as you conclude your monolouges.
i am always reminded of you when i think of a chapter in anne lamott's 'grace (eventually)'.
anne is leading a pre-school sunday school class and begins every class by having each child come up individually and announcing to them in front of the others, "you are SO loved, and SO chosen,' as the child hugs themselves with delight. you, my boy, have the same sheepish excitement when surrounded by your friends and family, and it warms my heart to see how loved you feel as evidenced by the huge, humble grin on your face.
we love you, bean.
