6 Years

6 years.  6 short years.  6 very long years.  Sometimes it seems like it all passed in a blink and other times it feels like it has been forever.  Regardless, I can't even remember what my life was like before . . . and I would never want to imagine my life without the last 6 years.

6 years ago, I didn't know those eyelashes that reach to infinity.  6 years ago, I had never heard that high squeal of delight.  I had never felt that hot breath on my neck or smelled that straight from the playground sweaty smell.  I had never had to wrestle through toenail clippings or dress a moving target.  The only loose tooth I ever pulled was my own.  6 years ago I would have never been able to sing the opening song to every Disney cartoon and wouldn't have dared to dance in the living room to those songs.  I had no idea how much TIME or MONEY I had 6 years ago.  I used to be able to leave the house in a matter of minutes with just keys and wallet, until 6 years ago.  Now I have to have a change of clothes, snacks, drinks, wet wipes, and some form of entertainment on hand at all times.  I had never had that huge lump of pride in my throat and chest that I felt the first time he rode his bike with training wheels or swam all on his own without floaties or hit a baseball off a tee.  I have probably cried more tears of happiness and sadness in the last 6 years than I did in my entire 29 years before.  I didn't have to repeat the same things 27 times a day every day 6 years ago.  6 years ago I had never felt such a sense of purpose.  I didn't have anything that brought me so many smiles 6 years ago.

6 years ago I never felt so inadequate. 

6 years ago I never felt so much love.

My heart was only half the size 6 years ago. 

This guy was born 6 years ago and my life has been forever changed.

I love you so much little buddy.