Happy 18th Birthday Zach!

Oh my.

Did I ever think I’d be writing those words?

I actually remember the exact moment I found out I was pregnant. I remember what I was wearing, and I remember looking at myself in the mirror and thinking (or maybe even saying out loud, because I was in shock), I’m going to be a mother”. And then everything changes.

I became a mother.

To this amazing kid 18 years ago today at 9:15 am.

Happy 18th Birthday, Zach.

And the first few days, months (and maybe years??) slowly went by. I wasn’t sure what everyone talked about when they said “the days are long and the years are short”. Everything was long. In a good way, of course (with some fatigue and overwhelm snuck in here and there).

But then teen years approached and all of a sudden, life picked up in pace. I wasn’t around to witness every moment. This child of mine who would yell out at me at night to say his “bank bank was not working” (his blanket had slipped off him during the night and he wanted me to come cover him again) was suddenly sorting through his entire life, pulling out every piece of memorabilia, clothing and packing for his upcoming mission.

How I can let him go on a mission at this point is beyond me. Funny, because when he was little, I knew that I wanted him to serve a mission – for multiple reasons including the experience and growth he will have, and the unique opportunity to serve – but I also knew that it would be bittersweet for me (and that is an understatement). However, it was sooooooo far way, so not something to worry about or think about.

It seems rather strange that as a mother you pour your heart and soul and every morsel of your being into your child; they are your breath, your heart beat and part of your very soul – and then you turn around and they are leaving. Gone. They take your breath, your heart and a part of your very soul without them even knowing….

Ok. Off on a tangent.

But it’s an emotional time to see your baby turn 18 and get ready to fly.

And oh, the places he will go.

Let me share some of my most loved things:

!. I’ll start with the kind of friend Zach is. When our kids graduate grade we give the the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go”. A couple of weeks again, after prom, Zach was saying goodbye to some of his best friends (who are gone for the summer and he will have left for his mission before they are home). I know it was a sad time, and when he came home he told me they had all read together, “Oh the Places You’ll Go”. To me, that represents the kind of friends he has and the kind of friend he is. That they would share that all together – sharing their hopes, dreams, unknowns. They have shared so many adventures too (more than I will ever know!) Zach is a great friend. Most of the time he asks to borrow the truck because he’s going to go pick up friends who live a little far so he can bring them back over to where they are hanging (usually quite close to where we are – or even at our own home). Then he’ll drive everyone home again after.

2. He is a great brother. Josh came home from his HEFY Paraguay trip last night. When we got home, Zach was out with his friends, but texted that he was coming back to see Josh. I wish I had had my phone to capture the moment and the expression on his face when he saw Josh – the hugest, kindest, most loving smile. I think he even ran towards him and they gave each other a giant hug! It was one of my best mama moments ever. My heart took a picture and a video:) He loves his brother. Zach has a strong connection with each of his siblings and I count on him to being some crazy glue to keep them all forever together as they grow up and start lives and families on their own.

3. He is super funny. I’ll just leave it at that. He makes us all laugh.

4. He is so hard working. It has been actually crazy to se this work ethic develop – especially over the past couple of years. He puts his all in school. He works multiple jobs. He is preparing hard for his mission now. He’s focused. Determined. Hard working.

5. He has a strong growth mind set. He knows anything is possible. He is up for the challenge and will put in the effort.

6. He is a communicator. He loves to talk – and listen. He shares stories – but is also a vault. So many times, I’ll ask another kid who shares something with me, “Did Zach know?” and he did (often annoyingly so). But he knows when to share and when to keep it quiet. You can trust him with your stuff.

7. He is positive. He has a great attitude. He looks for the best in all things, situations and people.

8. He is a good son. I feel very blessed as a mother to have had the privilege of raising him.

9. He is a boy/guy/man (oh my! He’s a man I guess!!??!) of character. He has a lot of integrity, honesty and loyalty.

10. He is Zach. A strange one but what I mean is: he is who he is, wherever he is and with whomever he is with. He doesn’t change depending on who, what or where (sometimes I wish he did, ha!).

11. He is sporty and likes to work hard in all his sports. The other day, he worked at the soccer camp he is at and then came home to go to “hill training” with only one other guy. He was MVP for soccer at school this year, and has played for the same rep team for years too – holding the role as Captain all the way through.

12. He is a great example. He is a good role model. I learn so much from him.

13. He is quirky. He has some funny mannerisms, habits, sayings. He will break out in song or dance. He pretty much jumps out of bed in the morning. He keeps the most random stuff. He’s super sentimental (as evidenced by all the stuff we have to sort in his room). He is a creature of habit (even if they are strange ones, lol)

14. He has a great memory. I attribute a lot of this to the far that he is also a big documenter: journaling, photos, videos. He’s a recorder.

15. Could being a good “binge watcher” be a good trait? We will start a show and then the next day he’s watched all 10 seasons. Am I exaggerating? Yes (but not really).

16. He’s fun to travel with. I love love love that he loves to travel. I wanted to turn my kids into travellers and I have had complete success with him!

17. He is compassionate and caring. He has a big heart. He can wear his emotions on his sleeve.

18. He loves his Heavenly Father and is willing to give up two years of his regular life to go and serve the people in Tahiti.

(Can I just also add that I love (don’t love) that he has many flaws, attitude, sass, and typical growing up teen stuff – in case I made him sound too charming! LOL Im particularly gushy right now because of him leaving so soon and so my emotions are very much on the surface ready to explode at any moment. You are warned.

Happy 18th Zach! What a year it will be!

Love you forever and more

Mom

xoxox

Here are some 18th birthday celebration pictures:

I wanted a picture of the boys hugging – so this is what I got, lol:

I asked Zach if he wanted to have some friends over for his birthday. He said he did and then I joked that I could make a cake, have party hats etc. He was keen (silly enough to be mockingly fun). His good friend has her birthday the day before so they decided to celebrate together. So we ordered pizza, had ice cream cake and brownies, and the kids played some games – before heading out:) It was cute:

I think he looks like “Where’s Waldo” in this one, lol: