17 years with Dylan

 Jonathan Dylan Simons

born at Flower Hospital on

November 20th, 1994

at 3:33 am weighing 7 lbs 11 oz

to Jonathan and Maria Simons

 I remember back in 1991 when "Father of the Bride" was released starring Steve Martin, how funny it was when he would have these visions of his daughter as a little girl.  At the time, I was just a young girl myself anxious to start my own life and my own family...feeling quite grown and unaware that I could possibly have parents looking at me in the same way.  I had little concept of just how quickly "babies" do grow.

20 years has flown by and I now find myself a wife and mother of four awesome boys!  I never imagined that I would ever find myself the mother of four boys, much less the mother of a 17 year old son quite this soon. 

 I am grateful for the many moments I have cherished with you.  Rocking and singing you to sleep as a baby each night before you went to sleep, going for walks, playing with you, snuggling you close, teaching you new things, helping you to discover the world around you, watching you grow, witnessing your loyalty to those you love, listening to you talk to me about the things you are interested in along with your hopes and dreams, watching you develop into the young man who stands before me now.  And hoping through it all that you might see yourself with the same eyes that I see you...with all of the greatness and potential that you have within.

  We are like creatures! 

 From the beginning, I have always had an innate understanding of who you were and what you needed.  

It took me a while to realize that it was because we are so much alike. 

You get me...and I get you! 

We may not always agree, but we understand where each other is coming from...which can make all of the difference in the world.

We enjoy time together and I love knowing that more than just my son, you are my friend.

 You have taught me so many things about myself I never knew existed!

You have made me believe in who I was and what I had to offer you as a mother.

You have made me want to be better and do better to show you a better world.

My world is a better place because you are in it.

You are a great big brother!

Because of the example you set, it is natural for your younger brothers to follow suit.

Making my job as a parent 10 times easier!

There have been many times, you have been there to teach, protect, and guide.

You show them the way and help them when they need you the most.

Family activities are a lot of fun with your exuberance and enjoyment in even the little things.

As the realization becomes more and more real of how quickly 17 years have gone by, and I look and see the young man you have become...

I am filled with an amazing sense of gratitude for the knowledge that I have that you are forever mine! 

17 years...30 years...50 years...even 100 years would never be enough time to have you as my son.

Always remember...

 I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My baby, you'll be!

Love, Mom