In honor of Luca’s third birthday, I want to share this earlier post of mine.

I need to add Leo’s name to it also, but, for today, it’s all about Luca!

Happy 3rd Birthday, baby!!

Dear Luca,

There are so many things I want to give you and so many things I want to teach you. Way too many things to list here. But, here are a few things I promise you.

I promise to love you unconditionally.

I promise to never turn my back on you. No matter who you fall in love with, what your “politics” are, what you want to be when you grow up, what religion you choose to practice….none of this matters to me. All that matters is that you are happy.

I hope to teach you to always be true to yourself, even if some of your beliefs or wants aren’t always the popular opinion.

I hope to teach you kindness. To be nice to people even if they are not always nice back. And even if they are total idiots. I hope you never discriminate or judge those people that think differently or that are different than you.

I hope that you try and make the world a little bit better than you found it. To give unconditionally, even if you get nothing in return. Even more so, if you get negativity in return.

I hope you smile at people that you pass on the street, even if they look mean…especially if they look mean

I hope that you stop and give a buck, or at least a burger, to the homeless man on the corner. And know that you are in no way better than him….you simply may have had better opportunities.

I hope that you embrace diversity and try and learn from it.

I hope you love animals as much as I do….sometimes a dog is as good as any man, if not better  .

I hope you live life without fear. I hope you take chances even when you are scared. And get back up and try again when things turn out differently than you’d hoped.

I hope you give your full heart and take a chance on love.

I hope you fight for what you believe in.

I hope you defend those people, and animals, that cannot defend themselves.

I hope you dance wild and sing loud.

I hope you love yourself as much as I love you.

I hope you always feel safe and know that you can tell me anything. I may not always like it, but I will always respect you.

I hope you know that I have my own faults and love me regardless.

I hope you root for the underdog.

I hope you will forgive me when I am less than patient with you and when I make mistakes. I promise to do the same in return.

I hope that you can laugh at yourself.

I hope you are not as wild as your mom was, but if you are, be responsible

I hope you will always remember how fortunate you are and be grateful for it.

I hope you do things for others and expect nothing in return.

I hope you don’t have a sailor mouth like your mother does, but if you do, know when not to open it.

I hope you get everything you ever want. But, for example, if its the X-box or some “must have toy” of the year, know that I will not wait in a line and pay twice as much for it so you can have it by Christmas. You can wait 3 weeks. We all have to wait sometimes. That’s life.

I hope you feel bad when you squish a bug.

I hope you love to laugh and do so often.

I promise to try and be open and honest with you about my choices and my life experiences. I may not be proud of everything I’ve done, but I am proud of myself and who I’ve become.

Be proud of yourself.

Learn from your mistakes.

I hope you always return your shopping cart to its proper location. Yes, it’s true, it is “their” job to chase them around the parking lot and put them away, but why not make their job a little easier?

Pay it forward. Times a million.

Be true to your family. They will always be there for you.

Sometimes its OK to eat a Quarter Pounder with cheese. I promise.

I hope you stay in your pajamas all day long sometimes.

Volunteer.

Know that it is OK to cry when you are feeling sad. We all do.

Communicate.

Let the person in the car in front of you pass. Even when you are 15 minutes late and you hate the world.

Travel.

Love your life. We only get one.

I love you SO MUCH IT HURTS. Never doubt this. It amazes me how much my love for you grows everyday. You are the best thing that has ever happen to me. I am so proud to be your mother.

Love,
Mommy