Being an Only Child … for moments in time

I’m not an only child. I am the oldest of three.

Neither are my boys. There are four boys from 19 years old to 2 years old. They are my heart walking around outside of my body.

And I’m laughing (with her of course) at a very dear friend who just found out they are pregnant with Baby 2 and are worried that older brother is going to be jealous. Ah life is about to change (all for the better) for them!

You know that opportunity though when you get time with just Mom or Dad? It is priceless.

So walk with me down memory lane. I was a junior in college and came ‘home’ for the summer. My folks had PCSed to Kirtland AFB, NM that year so it was a new area for me. One weekend, just the three of us, Mom, Dad and I, took a mini-vacation together. We visited White Sands. It was the highlight of the weekend, probably the highlight of my summer actually. We walked, talked, dumped sand out of our shoes time and time again. This 20 year old (a few years ago) rolled down the sand hills and got sand in her teeth, ears, eyes and loved every minute of it.

The next day we travelled down to Juarez, Mexico (where we bartered for a Mexican blanket that we found was a few dollars cheaper in the PX the next day… ahhhh the memories, worth the extra dollars, I’m sure). Just a short little weekend trip! In the car with just my mom and dad. Time alone that I so rarely had and thoroughly enjoyed!

Have you ever gone on a ‘date’ with just one of your children? Time alone? Memories made? I’ll be honest and tell you I don’t do it enough but I want to make sure that we get our time. Time when they can talk without interruption, without being judged, where they can just be themselves. Kids from 5 years old to 30 years old (and beyond) enjoy time with just their parents. I know I’m going to make more of a point to find time alone with each boy throughout the year. It doesn’t have to be a regular event; only a memory making event.