Dear Thomas,
I love the person you have become. I picked you up from Boy Scout Camp today, and you are clearly not the same boy you were last year. Last year, you grunted at me when I asked you questions, you could not tell me the name of your tent mates, and you were pouty in general. But, you were still tiny, and your bright blue eyes still warmed my heart. It wasn't until 3 week later when I saw pictures that I had any idea what you did at camp.
Today, you are the same height as I am, you rested your fuzzy head on my shoulder and told me all about camp. You told me you kayaked the Apple River, you learned how to camp outdoors, there were bats in the education building, Sam was your tent mate and he is nice. You told me you showered everyday, which makes any mom happy. You told me your disappointment in not being able to play paintball due to rank and how you and Eric were setting a goal of getting that rank before the next camp out. You talked and talked and talked, and didn't even complain when I told you that you have to serve 2 masses today. You laughed at the nonsense your siblings put me through this week, and we shared a nice lunch.
I love this. I love that you are growing up. I love that you are becoming a man of honor and respect. I love that you are still happy to cuddle up next to me, though. I love that your blue eyes still sparkle at me when you smile. You are still my baby, though. You are that special child God gave me when I needed a kids like you. I know your brother and sister kid me that you are the favorite, which is not true, but, you are special and so different from them. I need that now as much as I did 13 years ago.
