Twenty-six years ago, a tiny human was placed in my arms, and our eyes locked for the very first time. Mine welled up with tears of overwhelming love, while his were wide, innocent, and full of wonder. He was so calm, so peaceful, as if he understood his life’s purpose and was simply taking in his new world. An immense wave of love washed over me, settling deep within my heart, and in that instant, all the hopes and dreams a mother could have for her firstborn son began to take shape.
Fast forward to last weekend, and there we were, on the dance floor, sharing the mother-son dance at his wedding. As our eyes met again, it was as if time stood still. His entire childhood flashed before me in a breathtaking montage of memories. Every precious moment, every milestone, rose to the surface of my heart, striking me with a profound and bittersweet emotion. It felt like only yesterday I was gently rocking him to sleep in my arms, and now, here he was, a grown man, tenderly guiding me across the dance floor to the melody of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ the very song I used to sing to him when he was little.
To call this moment surreal feels like an understatement. Words truly fail to capture the depth of emotion in gazing into the eyes of your son, now a married man, radiating happiness and love for the woman he just vowed forever to. Adding to the magic, my daughter, his younger sister, was there, beautifully playing and singing our song. It was a moment so perfect, so dreamlike, it was hard to believe it was real life.
The overwhelming reality washed over me that God had so graciously answered every prayer I had whispered for my son throughout the years – for his health, his safety, his success, his happiness, his well-being, and for a life filled with love alongside his soulmate. Since he was a baby, I had been praying for his future partner, and our new daughter-in-law is truly a gift, a treasure beyond measure. As my son and I gracefully circled the dance floor, his wedding band, a symbol of his new commitment, gently pressed against our intertwined hands, and his face shone with pure, unadulterated love for his bride. The intensity of gratitude that surged through me was intoxicating, leaving me in a state of blissful, love-drunk happiness.
The memory of this dance remains etched in my heart, a precious and lasting reminder, like the lingering taste of an exquisite wine. It serves as a constant testament to the beautiful life I’ve shared with my firstborn son. All the joys and sorrows, the celebrations and challenges, the highlights and even the regrets, collectively represent a lifetime of immeasurable blessings and unwavering, unconditional love.
While my love for my son will always be a constant, comforting presence, like a warm, weighted blanket, it now carries an added layer of profound understanding. The dreams we dare to dream for our children, those heartfelt hopes we hold so dear, truly do come to fruition in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.
