Thirty one years ago today I was blessed with the birth of my first son.  I didn't know love could go so deep or be so vast, or so many years later still be so strong and pure.  We named him Michael, from the Hebrew meaning "who is like God".  A good, strong name for a little boy who has become a good, strong man. 

Growing up I had siblings  who I loved a lot, plus lots of young cousins. I babysat in high school, earned a teaching degree, taught Sunday School and in general, pretty much loved kids.  But nothing prepared me for the love that washed over me when I held my firstborn in my arms and realized we were linked at the heart, forever.  I was astonished at the depth and breadth and take-your-breath-away feelings that I had never known existed before.  In short, I became a mother.

 Close your eyes 

 Have no fear 

The monster's gone

  He's on the run and your mommy's here
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

Beautiful boy 

 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

 Beautiful boy

 
Before you go to sleep

  Say a little prayer

  Every day in every way

  It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

 Beautiful boy

  Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

 Beautiful boy

 
Out on the ocean sailing away 

 I can hardly wait to see you come of age

  But I guess, we'll both just have to be patient 

'Cause it's a long way to go, a hard row to hoe 

 Yes, it's a long way to go but in the meantime 
Before you cross the street 

Take my hand 

 Life is what happens to you

  While you're busy making other plans
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

 Beautiful boy

  Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 

 Beautiful boy

 

And thirty years ago today, another mother was holding her beautiful little girl in her arms, calling her Gena, which derives from the Italian name for Queen. How appropriate.  For she grew up to become the queen of my son's heart.

 They said you have me wrapped around your finger

Like the ribbons that you wear in your hair

Maybe 'cause when i see your little fingers holdin' onto mine

I don't have a care

You've got me buyin' you bows and dresses

Oh, what a beautiful mess that this is

I think I'm in love

She's two foot three

Eyes blue and green

I just can't get enough

She got my heels over my head

Or better yet, she got me movin' to the beat of her drum

And if love were time, i would spend all mine

Just livin' inside her world

'cause she's daddy's baby girl

Soon she'll crawl, then walk, then talk, she's here for a while

Then sweet sixteen, and like a dream, she's down the aisle

And the little girl grew into a beautiful princess:

The two beloved children went off to school:

And grew into beautiful, intelligent young adults, ready to head off to college:

Where they met and became super-heroes:

They discovered they shared the same birthday as well as the same major, and more importantly,   the same family values and love of God and family.  And over time they grew to realize they shared something else....a beautiful love for each other.

 And so they decided to begin a fairy tale of their own.

And now the special world of love that they have created has grown to include their darling daughter, who has stolen their hearts (and their hats) in the same way that they stole ours years ago...

So on this special day I wish my wonderful son and his beautiful wife all the very best that life has to offer.  You are loved more than you can possibly imagine, and we are so very proud of both of you.

  Happy, happy birthday!