Dear Teen Son, Thank You For The Hugs

Here we are, sweet boy. Those crazy teenage years are upon us. There is so much happening in your life, your mind, and your body . So much growth and change and emotion. I know it can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. But, we’ll take each new change, each new feeling, as it comes.

I know affection can be a weird thing right now. It’s become awkward to hug or kiss your mom, you’ve moved to the strange handshake/back pat with buddies, and even holding hands with friends while playing a relay game seems to make you all uncomfortable.

So when you casually hugged me goodbye as you set off for a sleepover, I know you didn’t realize it was a big deal, but to me it was huge. You didn’t know how good it felt to have my little boy (always my little boy!) put his now long arms around me. You were just being polite and giving a quick goodbye gesture.

But, thank you for that hug.

You have no idea what it did for your mama’s heart.

When you hugged me tight upon your return from a guys’ weekend with your dad, and told me you missed me, you didn’t know how I would relish that moment. I missed you too and couldn’t wait for you to walk back through that door.

Thank you for that hug.

It made me smile and remember the huge, tight hug when I scooped you up at the end of your first unsteady, stumbling walk across the floor as a toddler. So much has changed, but it always feels good to be completely enveloped by your smiling child.

When your team won a big game, and you gave me a victory hug outside the dugout, you didn’t know how wonderful it was for me to see you so excited, and have you look for me, smile, and wrap your arms around me.

Thank you for that hug.

It made my heart fill with pride and pure happiness for you. Thank you for sharing your celebrations with me.

I wish every day was a celebration, but we know sometimes life doesn’t seem fair and it can even feel unbelievably cruel. When you were devastated and needed to vent, you came to me to talk it out. We hugged before you left, and you didn’t pull away, so we hugged for a second longer.

Thank you for that hug.

Thank you for allowing me to be a place of comfort even as you mature. As your mom, my heart still needs to try to support you and lift you up. Even if you tower over me.

I know it’s a simple thing. It’s just a hug. But to me, it’s a connection. And as you continue to grow and learn and move forward in life, it feels so good to know you’re still OK with that sweet connection between us.

So, thank you.

This is a contributed post from Dana at 39ishlife.com. She lives in Florida with her husband and four sons. When she’s not running someone to baseball or golf, she is writing, editing, and avoiding the sink of dirty dishes.