We were supposed to meet for lunch at Circle J when he texted, "Where you at G?" (He's not a gangster - he's just funny.)
I told him I was waiting for him at Circle J and then I lifted my head to scan the tiny, little restaurant and realized we were sitting just three tables away from each other, both wondering why the other was running late.
We hugged, we laughed about it and then we had lunch (clam chowder and fries for him and a M.I.M. sandwich with sweet potato fries for me) along with some good conversation.
I love him.
And though he's not even quite 20 yet, (which means he's still got plenty of growing up to do) the way he hugs me tight, the way he always remembers to tell me I look pretty and the way our relationship has evolved since he moved out on his own kind of makes me excited for the day when these other three rugrats are grown and I get to meet up with one of them for lunch.
It'll be even more exciting when one of them actually has enough money to pay.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...I'm so glad it's you that I get to raise all these kiddos with.
That's SO cool...!
Two of mine are out on their own and the little guy is 18! Love those moments shared together in the land of grown-ups...
Stay warm...it's cold out there today...18 degrees on our drive over from GP this morning. Brrrrr!
Posted by: Tina | December 13, 2011 at 08:45 AM
awww so sweet! love your relationship with the kids, especially ross!
Posted by: Angela | December 13, 2011 at 08:58 AM
awwww very sweet! This post made me smile today. :) Thank you :) You are such an awesome mom!
Posted by: Desiree Chandler | December 13, 2011 at 10:22 AM
LOVE this post, Karen! I'm so totally envious of your relationship with your son. I have a teenage son, age 16, and most of the time it seems we are like oil & water. Too much alike for our own good, actually. I dream of a day when we can have a better relationship. God help me through these teenage years! You are a lucky woman indeed!
Posted by: Trina | December 13, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Had to laugh about them having enough to pay - hehe! I don't get to catch up on your blog but a few times a month, but I always appreciate your honest posts. I get a lump in my throat reading them, because I could have written those very words!
P.s. No matter how they turned out, the pictures of your family doing things together always look very Norman Rockwell! Funny, that is always what I have envisioned too...... =)
Posted by: Teresa Loop | December 13, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Very cool!! Son's are very special :)
Posted by: Tracy | December 13, 2011 at 10:55 AM
That's so sweet!
Posted by: Kelli | December 13, 2011 at 11:10 AM
you are such a lucky mama, and he is such a lucky son!
Posted by: stacy | December 13, 2011 at 11:14 AM
what a super son you have. you are so very lucky to have one another.
Posted by: libbi m. | December 13, 2011 at 11:55 AM
That's really awesome & sweet!
When does Josh return?
Posted by: Jessica | December 13, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I really hope I have this great of a relationship with my boys when they are Ross' age!
Posted by: Lacey | December 13, 2011 at 05:54 PM
This made my heart just melt into a puddle. I pray every day that my son still loves me like that when he is that age!!
Posted by: Corrine A. | December 14, 2011 at 05:34 AM
Thanks for this! My oldest goes to college in 2 1/2 years and I am already feeling panic-y over how I'm not going to see her everyday.
Posted by: Sheila Brame | December 14, 2011 at 07:49 AM
Karen!! I love that you share these moments...it gives me hope! Today is my son's 18th!! Birthday..I'm hoping to continue to grow our relationship together...
Posted by: teresa b | December 14, 2011 at 08:49 AM
what a GREAT kid!
You should be VERY PROUD!
tell him he's awesome!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | December 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM
This made me cry today! My girls are in high school. One is getting to be a great person to talk with and the other is in the terrible 14 stage (you know the attitude, the "I know it all" attitude, the "you are the meanest parent ever" stage) Thanks for share the little things in life!
Posted by: Kristina | December 14, 2011 at 04:29 PM
that is just so darn sweet!
Posted by: [email protected] | December 18, 2011 at 08:06 PM
I'm curious, what's a MIM sandwich??
Posted by: Christi | December 19, 2011 at 11:59 AM