The joy in being a "boy mom"

Hot wheels cars and legos all over the floor, super hero action figures in the bath, couches that serve as platforms to fly into the air and do a super cool stunt... just a few of the things I love about being a boy mom.

I love it because watching his imagination from a toddler until now has been pure joy.

But that joy has come with a few times of "get off the couch like that," "you are not a monkey," and "didn't I tell you to pick up these legos?" as you grab your barefoot that just stepped on them..

Being a boy mom has been so much fun. Seeing adventure through his eyes has brought the kid out in me ever since he was born. I have been a horse on my hands and knees underneath a cowboy. I have thrown him in the air on my feet as he pretends to be an airplane. I have fought and lost to a superhero. I've raced hot wheels cars across the house. And yes, I've made several legos sets from start to finish. #likeaboss

I remember when he was first born, looking at his sweet sleeping face and realizing I was in love. Every sound he made, every little smile... they all just melted my heart.

There is just nothing better in life than little boy snuggles. And oh the times his little three year old arms would reach around me and protectively grab my shoulder as if to tell the world, "she is mine."

I will never forget all the times I have gotten proposed to by a toddler.

These days I look at my son and I see something different. He is no longer a baby, but a boy. He doesn't have a baby look to him anymore. He is losing his baby charm. Now, I see a young man that is active, strong, and independent. Oh he still has several years to go before he is grown... but it is coming quicker than I would like.

You see, being a boy mom has been almost all joy... But there is this one little thing.

Someday I have to give him away.

Someday I won't be the one that gets all his kisses. Someday I may have to beg for a hug. Someday he will stop coming to my room at night telling me about his bad dream.

Someday I'll dance with him to our song and he'll be taller than me. Broader than me. Stronger than me.

Someday he'll go off to start his own family, and he will have a different girl in his life.

Oh, I'll always be his mom. But I will have to step back, and let another woman finish raising him. I'll have to let her take care of him, love him, and become his number one.

I'll have to settle for second place in his heart. I know this day is coming. I know this will be the normal, natural process of life. But I know my mama heart will hurt just a little when it happens. In the meantime I'll teach him to be a gentleman. I'll teach him to be kind. I'll tell him real men work hard to provide and care for their families. I'll do my best to raise him to be the kind of man God wants him to be, and the kind of man that woman who will take my place will need.

For now, I'll treasure these little boy grins. Because before I know it, he'll be all grown up, and leave my nest to build one for her. And that's okay, I suppose.