There are two young men at church, who I've known, since they were about 2, have crossed a line and no longer look like little boys. They don't even look like scrappy middle schoolers anymore, either! They are both about 14 and are high school freshmen.

They are starting to look like the men they will be when they are all grown up and it all just happened recently! Sam is very very tall, and in fact is taller than his mom now, and she's pretty tall! Nathan is also getting tall, too. There is just a hint of maturity in their faces, that didn't used to be there!

So, as moms of sons, does it break your heart to see your boy grow into a man, or does it make you so proud that your heart will burst?

I know as the mom of daughters, I guess I have the same feelings, too, especially since Sarah is only 1-1/2 years away from being 18! I don't know how it happened so fast!

I just know these boys have crossed a line and there is no going back anymore!

It also makes me feel old, since I have known both these boys for 12 years now and seem them grow up all along the way!

We just need to cherish each and every day, since each day flies by soooo fast!

By Kim on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:38 pm:

Well Dawn, I look at Kyle every day and it breaks my heart. He turned 12 on the 4th. His jaw is growing, he is filling out. He is getting hairy and smelly and bigger. I know his voice will change soon and he will be into girls. It is going fast. And I remember him being a lovey little boy what seems like yesterday. I cherish every time I can get him to let me hold his hand, in provate of course, or he lets me pull him close while we watch tv. In my case what hurts even more is that I can't lead the way for him as man and there is no one else to do it. I do the best I can. But yes, cherish each day...

By Bea on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:52 pm:

Looking from the other side, I can't say it breaks my heart. I have many wonderful memories of my sons as babies, toddlers, boys, young men, men and one as a father himself. Every stage of my life and theirs has had it's share of fantastic times and tragic times. I look back with fondness and gratitude for the good times, and look forward to even more memories we'll continue to create. Every minute of life contains something to savor and cherish.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 12:15 am:

I know I have cherished each stage of my daughter's lives, too. Sam has a sister who is Emily's age. She is looking older, too. I guess that all the kids are just growing up so fast, now that they have reached puberty and I know I'm not going to have my babies around all that much longer! I was getting teary-eyed in church, just thinking about it! LOL!

(Yeah, I know I should have been listening to the sermon, but when I sing, I have to go to both services and I had really heard it once already!)

By Bemerry84 on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 08:37 am:

Dawn, I could be the mom of the boys you are describing. My son will be 15 next month and is a freshman in high school. He is over 6' tall and as handsome as they come (mommy brag) with a wonderful personality. Plays basketball and baseball and has been given the coaches award for his attitude. Like Bea I have and cherish the memories of him as he grows but it is wierd looking at him and seeing a man (I get tears too). I continuously preach to him about the way a girl (woman) should be treated with respect and kindness. Since I have two boys I won't get to experience the girl thing but I think I would be much more protective of a girl, especially with boys and that is why I am raising gentlemen. By the way he still wants me to tuck him in at night and I'm dreading the day he doesn't tell me I'm ready for bed!! I'm such a sap I'm tearing up as I type. I guess that as much as we want them to stay young nature takes its course.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 09:07 am:

My DS just turned 20, Does it break my heart to see Tom grow into a man, I can't say it breaks my heart I miss the days of him growing up, but I also am enjoying seeing how great he has matured into a young man and all the accomplishments he is making. I am very proud of Tom and am enjoying him being the young man that he is.I thought the worse day in my life is when he moved out to start college. But I am also enjoying all the ups and downs now of college life.
I love what Bea said "Every stage of my life and theirs has had it's share of fantastic times and tragic times. I look back with fondness and gratitude for the good times, and look forward to even more memories we'll continue to create. Every minute of life contains something to savor and cherish." How very true
My DD is only 5 so I will be experiencing both the DS and DD thing. My younger DS is 11 and I am amazed at him everyday how mature he is becoming.