Luke is EIGHT

Dear Luke, 

E I G H T. I can’t believe you are 8 years old today. I am so so so SO proud of you. I don’t even know where to begin.

Luke, you are truly the best big brother. Anyone who knows you can feel that within a few minutes. Anyone who sees videos of you can see that after a few seconds. You love your siblings with all of you heart and would truly do anything for them. ANYTHING. Your unwavering generosity and leadership is unmatched. I could never have hoped, dreamed or prayed for a better first-born child.

You are absolutely hilarious and you laugh at your own jokes which makes us all laugh even harder. Your wit is truly beyond your years. Your jokes sometimes floor me. You really are an old soul at heart.

You love sports, oh my gosh Luke, do you love sports. All sports…but especially golf. This last year you qualified for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst. We were all so excited (and slightly unprepared) for you to compete with the best youth players in the world. You finished 78th out of 90, and while we all hoped you had a better finish and it really changed you…for the better.

After the tournament, you could have gone one of two ways:

1. Say: “wow… i’m not nearly as good as the other kids my age.”
2. Say:  “wow… i have a LOT of work to do.”

You chose the latter.

You golfed every single day, sometimes twice a day. And you initiated all of it. You love golf more than anything in the world and we will give you all the support while you still love it… but if one day you come to us and say you no longer want to play, we will support that too. Because that’s what parenting is all about.

We chose to pull you out of school this year and homeschool you and your siblings with COVID19. I will admit, it hasn’t been the easiest decision, but you make it so much easier on me. You guide the others and help Eden and Adam with their studies. You are a natural born leader in every aspect of your being. I often say there is absolutely no way I could have ever had 4 kids without your help. YOU are my rock. 

You have grown up so much this year. This is the first year I’ve noticed you playing less with toys and more with your sports stuff and mind games like chess and your Rubic’s cube. Sure, you still play Hot Wheels and Nerf guns with your little brothers, but you’d prefer to toss the football. It makes me sad that toys aren’t your first choice anymore, but also so excited for this next phase of your life.

Luke, I can’t wait to see what 8 years old has in store for you. We are continuing to work hard every single day to qualify for World’s again. You will start soccer again in the spring and you have several trips to Florida planned for some sunshine and golf.

When you were born 8 years ago today, I had no idea how to be a mother. I was so nervous and scared.

Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for calming me down when I start to lose my mind. Thank you for understanding that I am not perfect. Thank you for offering advice like going to soak in the bath when it seems I am too bogged down. Thank you for taking the lead in making meals and cleaning the house when I can’t seem to parent any longer. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for being you.

Luke, I will never be able to repay you for all you’ve given me, my only hope is you never, ever, ever doubt my unwavering love for you.

Love,
Mom