Lunch With Drew

How is it possible that my baby boy, my youngest, is turning 16? Where did the time go? Just yesterday he was in elementary school grinning that toothless grin of all energetic little boys. Now he towers over me, wears a size 12 sneaker, speaks in a deep rumbling voice, has thoughtful opinions on topics I never dreamed entered his consciousness.

We decide to celebrate his birthday quietly together, just the two of us. He picks TGIF's for our Saturday lunch date. I am proud to be there with him. We order, then sit back and relax. Conversation flows easily between us. It has been too long since we connected this way.

He talks about his friends, his college plans, his interest in architecture, his experience in Robotics. The waitress, who speaks with a heavy Russian accent, comes and goes, seamlessly filling our glasses and taking away empty plates. Drew ignores the beeps of friends texting him and orders the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake. He offers me a bite. I succumb. It's yummy.

His real birthday is next Tuesday, the 23rd. I know that on Sunday, his brother Kiel has birthday plans for Drew and some of his friends. I am honored to have this special time, struggling to let him know how proud I am of him, how hopeful for his future. We finish, and Drew quickly calculates the tip on his phone. I smile at his adeptness with all things mathematic.

We saunter out into the mall, still chatting, happy to be together for a few more minutes. How soon he will be gone from my daily existence, going off to college (he is already considering numerous offers of roommates), old enough on Tuesday to get a driving permit (and champing at the bit to do so).

In another year or two I will have that proverbial empty nest. As much as I am looking forward to being independent again, I will miss my boys madly. They will be caught up in the swirl of life's demand and hecticity, forgetting Mom except on certain designated days. Good thing I have Sugar!

But there is time enough to mope later. Today I am enjoying Drew's company, celebrating his birthday, glad to have him all to myself for an hour or two. Happy Birthday, young man. I wish you God's best for this coming year and the rest of your life.