10-Year-Old Love Letter

My sweet Owen,

Today marks an entire decade since the chaotic scene of your birth in our Ballard bungalow. The postpartum euphoria and hot tears of joy that flowed that winter morning feel like they were both yesterday and a lifetime ago. At 10-years-old you are industrious, independent, and sweet. You are confident and know what's important to you. You are a hard worker and obsessed with lacrosse. You have a great group of friends and have learned the joys of sleepover parties. You love playing football at recess but have no desire to play on a team. Fourth grade has been amazing for you academically and motivated you to read independently. You are fiercely loyal to family and share my desire to build community. 

Your moods have stabilized. We're all entitled to tough days but there seems to be less volatility in your feelings. We've identified that jealousy or excitement over an upcoming activity is usually the culprit if you're having a hard time. You are in tune with your emotions and developing more self-awareness. Family is always at the top of your priority list and you recently vocalized that you'd like to go to church more. You initiate hugs and kisses at the bus stop in front of your friends and bedtime snuggles are a highlight of your days. 

You are secure in who you are and what's important to you. All your friends play baseball and when I asked if you felt sad that you didn't participate in the same sport you emphatically replied, "I play lacrosse." I love that for you so much. As a fourth grader, you are picking up too cool-for-school vibes. You're not interested in participating in pajama day with the kindergarten/second graders. At home you still find time to play make-believe, most recently choreographing a circus routine on my bed and making dinner in your "restaurant." You have one foot still firmly planted in childhood while the other is wholeheartedly middle age. 

You have matured enough that you enjoy playing board games without a hyper-focus on winning. You played another season of soccer this fall and took piano lessons on and off. Your favorite meal is spaghetti. You get realllllyyyy excited about starting a new project and come in hot. Finishing them doesn't carry the same enthusiasm. 

My sweet firstborn. Loving and learning with you for the past decade has been a sacred gift. You are a kind and confident 10-year-old that loves big and I couldn't be more proud of you. I love you with all that I have and all that I am. 

xoxo,

Your loving mama