Today my baby, my son, turns ten. A decade of parenting a son so different from my daughter. My baby boy, second and last child. My emotions are all over the page with this one. If Savannah has always been a source of joy, light, and life, Weston has always been heart, warmth, and love. 
He’s intelligent, articulate, observant, thoughtful and sensitive. He’s hilariously witty if you’re quiet long enough to listen, wicked smart and fiercely, strategically competitive. He’s the first to sense when I need a hug, and he’s keenly aware of the needs of others in any given situation.
He has some deep flaws as well, but don’t we all. What I love the most is he seeks and recognizes truth even in the middle of things that are hard for him. He’s always been honest about what he’s feeling and where he is in any given moment, and when his thoughts and ideas run away with him, and the enemy is speaking lies into his head, he let’s God’s truth sink in and have Its way with him. For this alone, I am deeply grateful.
I see the beginning of the man God is shaping him to be. I see a young boy that seeks truth and when he finds it, he doesn’t waver or back down. He stands firm. I see the beginnings of a young man who’s not afraid to work hard, apply himself, and take responsibility for the direction his life takes. I see a man of God forming in him that will carry himself with strength—strength of character and integrity, mental and physical strength, emotional and intellectual strength.
The road to get there will be hard, my son, but I see everything in you, all the endless possibilities of how the Lord can and will use you to bring glory to Him. Never doubt that for one minute. Never sell yourself short of the amazingly, unique you God created just you to be.
I’m proud of you simply because you’re my son, and it’s my greatest privilege to be entrusted with the gift of you for however long the Lord sees fit.
Happy tenth birthday, Weston. Your Mama loves you more than you know.
