Bubba's 13th Birthday

I am in amazement that my firstborn son is already a teenager. Bubba never really asks for anything for his birthday.  I was surprised this year that he wanted Nike Elite socks and to go with some of his football friends to the River!  I was really excited that this birthday, which is on Valentine’s Day, was also on the day of the Middle school dance.  He loves to dance and was looking forward to it.  Bubba woke up throwing up on his birthday.  The little kids had the stomach flu the week before but I thought we were all in the clear.  He stopped throwing up in the afternoon and really wanted to try to go to the dance.  I didn’t think he was going to make it when I watched him sit down on the stairs on his way to the shower.  He was still so weak and decided to skip it, which broke my heart.  I had even bought him a new red dress shirt and black dress pants for his birthday.

Thankfully he bounced back quickly and Dan took a truckload of boys to the River and they had a blast!  They played games and much to my surprise even swam in the freezing river!  I think Dan may have had more fun than the boys!  It wasn’t exactly the 13^th birthday weekend I imagined for Bubba but he seemed happy!  Definitely happy with all the new socks!! His grandparents got him an Academy gift card and I thought he would cry with joy!  He bought the brightest neon yellow hoodie I have ever seen!

Bubba opened up a whole new world to me when he was born.  I learned so many amazing things that I would have never known about.  I became obsessed with Star Wars along with Bubba and went to extreme lengths to get EVERY Star Wars Burger King toy.  Yes, I will admit to buying the last “impossible ones to find” on EBay!  Can you say obsessive compulsive?  I learned to enjoy being a soccer, basketball & football mom.  I still watch Toy Story movies by myself and will never give away Woody & Buzz dolls.  Of course, I became a devout football fan of the Miami Hurricanes and have bought more orange and green than I thought was humanly possible!

There are so many things I admire and understand about Bubba and I feel like we have a special bond. I am savoring every moment with Bubba.  He is now taller than his older sister and is getting ready to be taller than me too!  In a mere 5 years, I will be packing my boy up for college.  I think that is why I cried so much on the last Toy Story movie.  The thought of packing up his room is a day I dread. Bubba is an overachiever in school.  He is independent and a leader.  The first time I realized that he was a natural leader was when he was in K3 and a mother told me his son begged to get Darth Vader shoes just like Bubbas!  Bubba is kind and compassionate and more than people think. I have so enjoyed having him as my son and look forward to this next stage of his life!  I believe great days are ahead for my Valentine boy!