Today, it is this adorable little punk's birthday. He is 15 solid years old.
Fifteen years ago today I was BAWLING. I didn't care that we had just gotten a brand new baby boy. I didn't care that he'd grow up to teach me more about life than I could learn anywhere else. I didn't care that I wasn't an only child anymore.
I just wanted a happy meal. That's all I remember from my brother's day of birth.
Fast forward fifteen years as I'm sitting typing this post. Yesterday I was texting Dallin, saying I couldn't come to some meeting because it was Zach's birthday. This is how the conversation went down:
D: How old is he turning?!
E: 15. It's nuts.
D: Serious? That is nuts!! He's old enough to drive now!!
That hit me like a ton of bricks and I almost started to cry.
Who crys over driving?!
What hit me was that he IS old enough to drive now, yes. Physically. Mentally, he won't ever be old enough to drive.
And that made me so very sad for him. This is just the beginning of the differences. I've always grown up knowing that he was different and that he isn't able to do a lot of the other things kids his age are able to do. But it was always just the little things. That's why it hit me so hard, because the changes are imminent, and quite big. I know he's better off than any of the rest of us and that he truly is blessed for his trials, but it's a little bittersweet knowing that he is growing up so fast.
So happy birthday Zach. I love ya kiddo. :)
