The Story Behind The Bracelet

The week was rough.

But that goes without saying so I'm not here to complain about it.

Yesterday, I worked late and, as a result, Aiden and I did not get home until after 7pm. After eating, giving him a bathe, and sitting on the living room floor playing "farm animals" with him, I was able to successfully get Aiden to bed by 9:30pm. Late, I know. I blame single motherhood.

"Mommy, I have a surprise for you. And you will love it so much that you will give me a big hug and kiss."

Those were the first words Aiden said to me when I picked him up.

"What's the surprise, A?"

"I didn't tell anyone about the surprise because it's a secret. I made it today in school and I put it in a (not "an," but I'll let that one slide) envelope and closed the envelope so no one else could see the surprise," he said.

"Oh yeah? I'm so excited!"

I really was excited. Like a child on Christmas morning. This was the best part of my day. Aiden is the best part of my day. Always.

When we got home, he gave me an envelope that read:

R-O-F

M-O-M

An aside: More often than not he'll start his words too far on the right side of the page so he'll end up spelling words from right-to-left as opposed to spelling them from left-to-right. (It's kinda cute right now, but in about a year or so, it will be not-so-cute.)

"Close your eyes..." he said, as I held out my hands. "No, no, no... I'll open it for you." He smiled and then laughed. Such a sweetheart! 

I closed my eyes as I was instructed to do. And waited while I heard him rip open the envelope.

"Tada!"

"Awww... Aiden! I love this bracelet! It's so beautiful."

I picked him up and gave him a tight hug and a big kiss.

"Are you happy, Mommy?"

"Absolutely, A. This is amazing. And it was so thoughtful of you."

This was exactly what I needed after a stressful week at work, after being "on it" for so long, after taking care of everyone else.

I spend so much time thinking about how I'm raising Aiden, how much I do for him, if I'm doing enough of the "right" things for him, how he'll grow, how single motherhood will affect him. I think and I worry and I think some more. And I encourage myself that things will be fine with him and I think even more and I tell myself that he'll grow into a great man one day who is caring, kind, God-fearing, socially-competent, and self-sufficient. All of that good stuff.

Then we have moments like this one. Moments that make me smile. Moments that helps to melt the stress away. Moments that let's me know everything will be okay and that this single mom gig is quite alright. Moments that make it all worth it.

I'm so blessed to have this kid in my life.