Nearly 19.

It’s been so strange to see my son through my eyes lately.

I find myself noticing new things about him as if I haven’t spent almost 19 years watching him grow.

He takes my breath away sometimes – when I catch a glimpse of the man he’ll be.

I’m filled with pride when I hear him share his original thoughts about life – about the universe.  Whether we share the same opinions or not – I love how his mind works!

He definitely inherited the best of both of his parents. Big blue eyes and full lips from his paternal side. My smile, my humor.

It really is hard to feel any ill will towards his absent father when I see so much of him in the person I love most on the planet.

He’s growing into himself – finding what makes him happy, interested, angry.

It’s fascinating.

I’m trying to hang back – be a casual observer and not interfere. Hoping my lessons over the years have taken seed.

And I think they have.

I genuinely like this person who is about to enter his last teenaged year on the last day of March.

And I love that I get to like my son.

Happy Birthday Nicholas Avery Charles.