SEVEN. Boy, that sounds old.
Six is still a little person, but seven? You’re running headlong into big kid territory.
That was pretty apparent this weekend. It wasn’t as much like managing a child, but more like hanging out with another person. It’s been nothing short of amazing to watch it all unfold.
We’ve had a few warm days of late, which remind me of those first few days after we brought you home from the hospital. With temperatures in the 70s, I spent hours on our porch, with you in my lap. I sat there, just staring at you, wondering what this whole journey was going to be like.
I think the thing I never could have anticipated seven years ago is how much those years would change me. For instance, Tom made your birthday cake this year. I went through mental gymnastics trying to figure out how I could make the perfect cake ahead of time, but then I decided to let it go. Tom could make it. It wouldn’t be exactly what I wanted, but it would be good enough. (And it was!) After a long weekend of taking photos, the camera spent the day in the drawer. I wanted to be a part of the day. And these three mediocre photos? They are good enough.
My career is not exactly what I thought it would be. My pants are a bit too tight. We don’t cook as often as we should. The laundry is almost never caught up.
Seven years ago, this would have filled me of angst and worry. (I won’t lie, it still does some days.) But most days, I’m pretty good at letting it go. Because I can only do so much. Because it doesn’t all have to be perfect (as much as I’d like it to be). Because on most things, good enough is good enough.
I can’t wait to see what I learn from you in the next seven years. I’m glad I got to come along for the ride.