Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tonight

His sister is on a play date this evening and his dad is home with a strained back. I decided we'd go out to eat. Just the two of us. A date. The three-year old and me.

He was reluctant at first, when I called it a date. He said, "But I don't want to marry you." Not sure where he was going with that one, I assured him (with a very bruised ego, he used to always want to marry his mama...what happened?!) that we would not be getting married.

We went to our favorite neighborhood Chinese restaurant, Bobo China, for crab rangoons, soup, and lo mein.

I cherish those moment when I get a little 1:1 time with my kids. Their personalities shine without the push/pull sibling communication going on.

There was no rush, we lingered and chatted.

My eyes wandered across the restaurant to a booth where another mother and son sat. He was about 14 and was passionately telling her a story about his day. How a teacher had wronged him in full detail.

My mind flashed forward 10 years. I wonder how my little guy will look. Sound. Will he tell me stories about his day? Will he still join me for crab rangoons after a long day?

I've said it before that it is my goal that he not be a jackass. Above all, I think keeping up with those dates and those talks will help him grow into the kind of young man I hope he will be.

I looked in the rear view mirror on the way home and thanked God for my son. For our relationship. It is those connections that make everything else worth it. To quote one of my favorite movies, my cup runneth over.



and over and over again...

6 comments:

Jenifer said...

I love those one-on-one moments and try to grab them when I can. I am sure M is going to become a fine teenager and a fine man.

It always comes back to time, just give them your time, which is somehow the hardest thing sometimes.

Sounds like a wonderful evening.

Mimi said...

What a nice evening! Awww. I'm sure he really liked the time alone with you too.

Mimi in the Midwest said...

He's bound to be a great guy with the path he's being lead down. He's a lucky little boy.

Anonymous said...

Why on earth can't I get my daughter to try chinese food? Did you have to trick M the first time? What about B?

If it isn't peanut butter toast, Alaina isn't impressed.

Aliki2006 said...

I love those precious moments, too. And my goal for both my kids is that they grow up to be good, kind people--this is the most important thing.

Nicole said...

My goal is for my boys not to be jackasses, either, but sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a LOSING battle.