So, it's been a while since I started my 6 part series of open love letters to my children. Now that I have 5 minutes to breathe, I thought it was time for installment number 2.
Dear Reuben,
As my first born child you hold a special place in my heart. It stinks for the other kids, but it's great for you! I was practically a child myself when I first became a mother. I married at 19, and acting in faith and a desire for a large family, we did not wait to start our family. After 5 months of marriage, your father and I found out that you were on the way. We were thrilled!
Extreme happiness soon morphed into severe nausea and vomiting, made worse by my early schedule and intense class load. I was in a program at BYU for Elementary Education majors. It was a cohort program, or a group of students put together for all their classes. We went out to elementary schools and observed/helped 2 days a week. Then we had class all day long for the other 3 days, usually on site in a portable classroom on the elementary school grounds, so we could go inside and see the techniques demonstrated. I will never forget professor Brad Wilcox. He was a great teacher. I slept through most of his classes that semester. He knew I was sleeping. He let me use the couch in the room. I got an A. I did actually earn that A.
In order to have more time to be with my first baby, from the moment I learned I was expecting, I accelerated my education. During Spring/Summer term I took 21 credits. You were due the beginning of October, so I only took one class that semester, a 3 credit class that was taught once a week in the evening for 3 hours straight.
The blessed expected due date came, and passed. Argh! It was so hard to wait! We drove from Provo to Kearns to spend Conference weekend with my parents. My brother in law Dave tried to "gong" you out. Apparently, that worked. I went into labor at midnight that night.
After 3.5 hours of labor, and I mean 3.5 hours total from the first moment that I knew you were coming, you were born at 3:33 AM. You have continued to be an intense person.
We brought you home on my 21st birthday.
The first thing we noticed was your elf bump and your alert eyes. You were taking it all in and making mental baby notes.
Reuben, you were a difficult baby, but also full of joy. You insisted on being held, nursing for 12 hours a day, and sleeping with Mom and Dad. Once we gave into your desires, things went pretty smoothly. You got your first two teeth at 5 months and walked at 8.5 months. You decided crawling was for other babies. By 9 months you were talking. Up was your first word, and you never stopped after that one.
Because you were my first, I could go on and on about your babyhood. There are so many memories. You are the lucky kid who actually has a baby book. And pictures that got printed. But, I don't want to write a book, just a letter.
While there have been times we wanted to pull our hair out( remember 4th grade homework sessions), for the most part you have been a really great big brother. Every time I brought a new sibling home, you were excited. You love babies and little kids and they usually love you back. You show a tenderness and patience with them that is not typical of 16 year old boys.
Before you were 2 you started to sing and you have developed that talent( you are welcome for the lessons) as you grow. We still expect you to find a wife based on your lovely polished voice.
Seriously.
Reuben, you are funny and smart. You go to school, church, and even early morning seminary without prodding or complaint. And that is impressive since complaining is one of your specialties. I know that you are already a stellar young man and that you will be an amazing grown man, a faithful missionary and a devoted husband and father when the time comes.
As I have watched you grow the last few years, currently at 5'10" and still growing, watched your feet and hands get bigger than your dad's, watched you excel in areas at school that we can't really understand, I get a glimpse of who you will be in a few short years.
In 2 years and 6 months, you will graduate from High School and be eligible to leave on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some people like to worry for you because you are a picky eater. They think it's going to be a problem for you. I know that it won't. I know that either 1.You will go to France and live on bread and cheese or 2. Heavenly Father will make you equal to the food set before you.
I am not worried though. I'm not worried about the food or the mission, college, or girls. I'm okay with you not wanting to date yet. I'm okay with you being a cautious driver. I'm fine with you liking the class Chemistry more than the romantic chemistry. I've only got a short time left with you and I'm not really eager to give my little boy up to another girl, not yet. But, when you are ready, I'd be happy to help you with date ideas. :).
To my firstborn, lover of muffins, the child with the most nicknames- Rooboo, Rooster, Rooberry, Roobaroni, Roobunny, Roobird, Ruby, Wooooooben, (I'll stop there), I want you to know that no matter what choices you make or how messy your room is, no matter how kind or snotty your behavior, no matter your hairstyle( which I like), your wardrobe( eh), or your strange and random vocabulary blurts, I will always love you the same today and tomorrow as I loved you with the wide eyed magical wonder of the moment when I first held you.
Love,
Mom
