To mom and dad.

I was lying in bed the other night when I suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to call my dad and tell him I love him... and I am sorry for my teenage years.

My dad was funny and goofy. Always making up silly things just to get us to laugh ("Waka, waka!"). My mom enjoyed life to the fullest and was constantly finding fun, creative things for my brother and I to do. When we got older, while the rest of the mom's were working on their tan at the beach, she was solemn skiing with us or jumping off the dock. Never worried about her hair or makeup... just enjoying life to the fullest and making the most of the moments she had with us. As I got older, my dad's antics only annoyed me and I wasn't interested in making memories anymore. They still tried, which only made me pull away more. Now that I have Wyatt, I know that for them, I was still a little girl in their eyes. I know that I will always look at Wyatt, no matter how old he is, and still see the baby he is now.

I know that someday Wyatt will no longer find my morning dance routine funny (Yes, we have one and it is awesome!). I know that he won't laugh at my funny faces or value my opinion in what he wears (I am relishing in the fact that he currently has no choice in this matter). I know that he will think I am a total dork and will not want to bring his friends over, for fear that I will still be in my pajama's when he gets home from school. I am accepting this fact now so that hopefully it doesn't hit me like a ton of bricks when he gets older.

How do you know when to stop doing the things that drive your kids crazy? And why should you? So what if I want to the moon walk in the kitchen every morning, much to Wyatt and his friends dismay? My dad used to pick us up from the bus stop and every day on the drive down our road he would ask how our day was. He would always pretend to be distracted, miss the turn in the road, and continue to drive into the field. All the while my brother and I are yelling at him, "DAD! Watch the road!" and he would quickly counter steer the van back onto the gravel... with Danny and I giggling in the back. He did this until I was 15. At the time, I hated it. Now... I love it and I am so thankful that he never stopped. My dad used to play the piano or guitar in the morning before we went to school. I don't really know why this bugged me at the time, but it did. I was a teenager and didn't really need a reason to be annoyed. Now... I want to learn to play the guitar so I can walk into Wyatt's room singing "Good Morning Sunshine" every morning. How cool would that be?

Wyatt, despite what we may lead you to think... you parents were wild and crazy in our younger years. We also at one point in time- were cool... though I know that will be a hard idea for you to comprehend. Your dad raced dirt bikes and even won a few trophies. Your mom was voted Best Dressed in her class and used to race her Honda on the straight stretches. We were fun and crazy and we have so many stories to tell you... when you are much, much older.

I guess the point is, you never feel old. You always feel like that cool, 16 year old that you were in high school. I know that I will embarrass my kids... and I cant wait to do it. Because hopefully someday, they will look back and laugh.

Just like I do now.

I love you mom and dad... and the crazy, fun, embarrassing mom you taught me to be.