How My Greatest Blessings Became My Best Friends

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One of the greatest blessings and privileges I’ve had in my life is to be a mom. Mike and I have devoted the last 26 years to nurturing, guiding, and raising Michael Jr., Megan, and Matthew physically, as well as spiritually into some pretty fantastic grown-ups.

I always thought that when the kids turned 18, my job as their Momma would be over. I spent a lot of tears worrying that they wouldn’t need me anymore but boy, was I ever wrong. I am truly thankful for that. I tried really hard to have other titles after my name besides mom. Other titles I wore were a wife, a business owner, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. However, my job as a mom was my most important job. Although they are grown, I am thankful that they still need me and I get to continue to nurture and guide them.

When they were little, these kids did everything other little kids did. They misbehaved, they fought and they played together like the best of friends. The age differences were 32 months between Michael and Megan and 20 months between Megan and Matthew. As they grew their bond became tighter and now that they are adults they are the best of friends. The three humans we have raised are all grown up and in their twenties now. They are all very different but very similar.

One of the reasons I believe we’re all still as close as we are is because we raised our children in the church. We are all members of the First Missionary Baptist Church of our local town. I am so thankful that each child has a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Michael Jr. is our first born. He is my long-winded realist. He likes to talk about politics, world events, religion. We share our words of the day and enjoy using those words throughout the day. He loves cooking, running, books, movies, current events,and self-improvement. His love for his mom and dad is evident in everything he does.

Mike recently ended four years of service in the US Air Force. He recently moved to North Dakota and is in school where he can get a bachelors degree in professional aviation, his lifelong dream.

Megan is my challenger. She likes hiking and her favorite being is Ruby. She’s the kind of girl that says c’mon mom, I know you don’t have feet but we’re going to jump in this tube and float down the river. You can do it! She is sassy, smart, sarcastic, and beautiful. She’s not big on using words to tell you how she feels, but I never doubt her feelings for me. One time when we were shopping, Megan insisted that we get matching outfits. We did and every time we wear them she always comments on how cute we are. What 23-year old wants to wear a matching outfit with her mother?

Megan just graduated from college with a Bachelors degree in Business Management. She committed to pay her own way through college. She earned numerous scholarships and worked 40-hour weeks while attending school. During her very little free time, she played on the college’s tennis team for 3 of her years there. Her commitment is impressive. I should mention she graduated with a 3.75-grade point average.

Matt is my protector. He likes construction and doing things with his hands. He is very hardworking, aggressive, happy, loving, loyal, beautiful, and easily distracted. Matthew graduated from high school and because he needed a change and missed his brother he decided to go and live with Michael who was stationed in Missouri at Whiteman Air Force base. I didn’t want him to leave me but at least he would be somewhere safe with his brother. We agreed under the stipulation that when Mike got out of the AF, Matt would come home with him. Mike came home, Matt did not!

Enter Samantha, our beautiful, smart and spunky newly adopted by marriage fourth child. Matt met Sam shortly after he arrived in Missouri and they have been together ever since. They got married in August 2011 and are committed to staying in Missouri for the time being. As hard as it is to have one of my children living 1200 miles away, I know he’s safe with his bride. I can still text him and call him any time I want.

Matt is the kind of son that is right there for his mom and family for anything they need, almost to a fault. Megan recently took a trip to Wisconsin to attend a country music festival. In her attempts to get home, she found she couldn’t get approved for a rental car because of her age. For a period of about an hour, she was stranded. Matt’s impulsive response was to jump in his truck and drive 9 hours so he could get Megan to the airport. In his haste, I was texting both kids trying to find a reasonable solution to Megan’s problem. When I told Matt he was being foolish thinking he needed to drive there he got mad and said, “I’m not foolish, that’s my sister and she needs me. I’m going!” Thankfully we were able to work things out. Megan got her ride and Matt stayed put. However, you can see how impetuous and loyal my son is.

In spite of their many differences, the kids share many similarities. They are the hardest working millennials I’ve ever seen. They are loyal to a fault in that their friends and employers don’t always reciprocate that, and its hurtful to them.

They love their family and after God, their family is a priority for them. Even though they are older now, they still prioritize hanging out with Mom and Dad even to do something as mundane as grocery shopping. That always amazes me. I’m the only mom I know that is still taking her kids to the grocery store and to run other errands.

I’m sure other families have stories of their children. However, my kids never cease to amaze me. I’m blessed beyond reason with the family my God has allowed me to have in this lifetime. Yes, each child has gone through their fair share of challenges and mistakes. However, they always seem to make it back to the place they need to be. I know as they get older, there will be more marriages and more times away from home. They will always keep Mom and Dad and each other a priority in their lives. In fact, when Mike headed to school, Megan tagged along with him. I am okay with that, even though they are now living out of state.

The kids think that now that they are all gone and moved on that Mike Sr and I should sell our house and get something smaller. We always say no way! This home needs to be a gathering place for kids and grandkids to come back to. If we downsized, where would everyone stay? No thank you. Home is where the family meets.

Thank you for letting me share my babies with you.  For more information about my family and our story, read About Me, we are all in that article. If you like this story, please consider signing up for future One Exceptional Life updates. I also welcome your comments and shares.

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