Once, on a chilly golden morning, much like this one, I stared for hours at this beautiful little face. He was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen – my very first, my very own, little boy.
Then I blinked and he was nine.
And you know what? It still amazes me, every day, that I get to call him my son.
Happy birthday, Luke. I am so proud of the strong, capable, generous young man that you are becoming, and I’m so grateful that I get to watch it happen.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
My oldest just turned 9 last month. It seems like such a big number. Until now I really felt like I still had a bunch of little kids, babies even, but now, suddenly, she’s so grown up. Happy Birthday Luke
Happy Birthday Luke!
Happy birthday, Luke. You share my daughter’s “Gotcha Day.” Nine years ago, at the age of 5 1/2/ months, she came home from Korea.
I will have a nine-year-old in a month, and I feel the same. They are suddenly, it seems, nearly grown up. Judging by how quickly these first nine years have gone…
Nine? Really? Wasn’t he just 6? I say this every time. Why does the time go by so fast and where does it go? Gunnar turns 12 next month. 12.
Happy happy birthday Luke. And happy day to you, mama. xoxo.
They grow way too fast. It is bittersweet, this growing up stuff.
Happy birthday Luke.
Have a happy day, Luke!
Happy Birthday to Luke! 9 is such a big number for me. It seemed we were crossing over into something different.
Happy Birthday Luke! and many congratulations Stephanie.
Happy Birthday! My boy just turned nine a few weeks ago. Isn’t it amazing -their ability to reinvent themselves into brand new versions of themselves that are, now, the best one yet? We are lucky to get to watch!
Happy Birthday Luke! My oldest will be 9 in 32 days.
Aw, Happy Birthday Luke! We have ourselves a Lukka over here, who often gets called Luk! Have a great day!
Sarah M
It is amazing how quickly it flies by, isn’t it? My first little boy will be ten in July.
Hi Stef… Congratulations to Luke and to you, too. I remember reading your segments as you awaited his arrival. Doesn’t seem that long ago. We have a son who will be 40 in another week. I can distinctly recall watching the raindrops on the American University of Beirut Hospital window while I awaited his arrival around 10 a.m. on a Tuesday — very, very concerned because he was being born full-breech. Expectant fathers weren’t allowed in the delivery room. In fact, as I peeked through the small opening between the swinging double doors, a delivery room nurse came over and put a length of masking tape over the space so I couldn’t see anything, only listen. Things, I hope, have changed for the better in the past 40 years. Our younger son, who will turn 38 in a month, was present and bedside for the delivery of both his daughters (the most recent, Delaney, on 6 Feb). Yes, we’re grandparents again, but have quite a way to go to catch up with Rick & Judy. Again, congratulations to Luke and his momma. Keep up the great writing and photo capturing. You are a delight!! j
Oh Luke! Happy, happy belated birthday. Man, he looks so much older in that last photo. Thinking of your sweet mama.
My oldest is also 9. I am amazed too. I am quite often amazed at how tall he is. It is so neat so see the kind of young man he is turning into. And to still see the little boy I know so well too.