Too Old!

Ever since I can remember, I have called the boys "sweetie". Most every day, I say "I love you" which is followed by a quick kiss. I have always enjoyed giving my boys these little signs of affection, and I always thought they appreciated it as well.

Conner has informed me, he is simply too old for these kinds of things....

I dropped Conner and his friends off for football practice the other day. As he was getting out of the car I said, "I love you sweetie! Have a great practice!" Conner just gave me this embarrassed look and rolled his eyes. Then, when I would have normally given him a quick kiss on the lips... he pushed his cheek towards me. HIS CHEEK! I figured it out pretty quickly, rather then embarrass him in front of his friends, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and he jumped out of the car.

I sat there in the car for a little while in complete shock. Has Conner all ready become too old for his mother's sweet nothings? WOW! Where has the time gone? I guess he is 11 years old and I guess it "isn't cool" for a mom to still be calling her mature, football tough son "sweetie".

It has been an incredible journey to watch Conner grown from baby, to little boy, to big boy and then to a young man. But honestly, I have taken for granite those little kisses and sweet words back, "I love you too Mom!"

Later that night when I was tucking him into bed he said, "Mom, could you not kiss me or call me sweetie in front of my friends? Maybe you could just call me Bud or Kiddo, or something like that?" I hesitated for a second and then he said, "But I still love you Mom. I will always love you. I just don't want you to say it in front of my friends.... right before football!"

My little Conner is growing up!!! I am pleased with the man he is becoming, and I will forever miss the little boy he once was.