"Well, it’s your birthday today, and that means it’s time for your yearly letter from your Momma. I post them here to keep track of them to save for you, and to show the world what you mean to me.

This is mostly to make me feel better, because of the guilt I still carry from when I was pregnant with you. You see, we weren’t told very good things about you when you were in mommy’s tummy. The doctors made us scared of you. Telling us you would have lots of health problems, and making us feel as if you’d be a burden to us. No one told us anything good about you, and I believed them.

I believed you would be a hinder to me and your daddy and the rest of your family. I believed that you would be too difficult for me to handle. I believed them when they asked me if I wanted to “explore other options” instead of have you in our lives. I’ll never get over the guilt I have for believing them, and for letting them ruin my time with you in my belly. But let me tell you son what they didn’t tell me, that I want the whole world to know about you.

You aren’t a burden. You aren’t a hinder. You’re the amazing, silly, grumpy, happy, sweet, beautiful little boy that I envisioned you would be when I found out I was pregnant with you. You’re all the things I could’ve asked for. And the part of you I was told would be a burden, has been the best part. It’s changed me. For the better, not the worse like I was told.

You’ve made me more patient and kind. More understanding and non-judgmental. I’m a better human because you’re in the world. And I can’t wait to see you change the world, just like you changed me.

So happy 8th birthday little man. It’s been the best 8 years I could’ve ever asked for. I hope you have the best day, even if you hate the birthday song. I’m still gonna sing it to you. 😁 "I love you son, to the moon and beyond."

Mom