I know this boy...

I know this boy. 

He has an amazing world expanding in his mind. He loves legos and worries about the election; he likes sports and dotes on his “secret” girlfriend, Natalie. 

He’s a rule follower and a people pleaser. He tries his best, I mean, his very best, to do you proud. You, who are his parent or his family or his friend, his coach, his teacher or his role model in a way that you never even realized. 

He wants to sing and dance. Not in any professional way, but if he hears a song, even in moments when he knows he can’t, he desperately wants to join in the music. He sings Queen at the top of his lungs. He absolutely butchers Nirvana. And Lord help you if the Whip and Nae Nae comes on.

There are days when he looks like me. And the next day, he looks like his dad. And he acts like his dad. And then he does something that makes us realize that he’s better than both of us combined, and we smile knowingly at one another. Yep, this is the one that won’t need bail.

He sees the good. Really, truly sees it. If you don’t see it in yourself, he’ll find it for you. He’ll let you know. Because he would never want you to be sad. 

He loves his sister. He fights with his sister. His sister often wins. But it’s because he lets her.

He prays for you. You may not know it, but he does. He’s got a list of people and causes and illnesses that he cycles through as he prays. And to make sure he covers you in case he hasn’t in a specific way, he asks God to watch over everyone, everywhere because this boy I know cares about everyone. everywhere. No hyperbole needed. 

He can be so funny. And so utterly obnoxious. I’m secretly afraid that he wants his own YouTube channel. 

He loves sports. He’s okay at them. He tries very hard. Jesus be with him if he has to outrun a bear.

School is his jam. It’s where he thrives. He’ll probably be a nerd but in the best way. He’ll be able to keep up a nice conversation throughout dinner and pay for it.

This boy kicked me in the ribs for 5 long months. And when he was born, he changed my entire world. He made it harder and more exhausting and scarier and more colorful and hopeful and simply more in every way.

He’ll turn seven tomorrow. I’ve been holding onto the misguided belief that six is still a baby. But seven. There’s no denying it. He’s a boy. 

And I know this boy. He’s my absolute favorite boy.