A note to my son

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> My little man, you amaze me. You are tender and sweet beyond your 2.5 years. It is a rush to receive your unrestrained, sincere expressions of love -- Expressions I can see you learning and internalizing as you expand your view of the world.
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> To feel your tiny, soft hands cup my face for a spontaneous, vigorous smooch just melts me. And the fact that this is the same way you love your blanky at night tells me it's the best way you know to show how you feel at this moment. In your little way you already have become the good person I aspire for you to be. You offer gifts as tokens of affection and as far as I can tell you see no other way of doing things. Sharing your last cookie willingly, making sure I have a napkin -- these are so tiny and no one outside our world would notice. But I know these are huge milestones for you, and I'm so proud and thrilled to witness them.
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> And tonight, you've done it again. You genuinely touched my heart in a new way. With a rush I have had a surge of new love for you as a person, not just because you are my child. After some snuggle time in our bed, your daddy and I offered to rub/caress your belly or back for you to fall asleep. You gladly obliged us and for several minutes Daddy rubbed your back in the dark. I offered to take a turn to save Daddy's arm and you said no, stop. You sat up and started to gently tickle my shoulder with the same softness Daddy used on your back. And then after a minute you switched to Daddy and offered this act of kindness.
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> I am so moved by this gesture. You have reached a new level of comprehension to grasp returning a favor, which is such a wonderful thing to learn. And you felt an internal drive to want to do this for your parents, which I interpret as pure love.
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> You touch my heart in the most unique way and I welcome every day so I can return your powerful love in every way I can.