JUST 4 YEARS | HICKORY, NC PHOTOGRAPHER

Happy Birthday John Michael! In just four short years you have managed to capture our souls Mr. Dinks. Time has have flown by but it has also slowed down because I have learned to observe EVERY moment and try to burn it into memory. You are growing so fast, which makes me a little sad but I’m oh so very proud of you. Of every milestone you achieve and every little new amazing thing you do or say that makes you this awesome little person! You have been my sidekick for four years now and I feel blessed to be your Mommy. We love you so much, oh let me count the ways:

1. I love to hear you call me Mama. I love everything about the way you say it. I waited so long to hear it that nothing could be sweeter.

2. I love how you know every single piece of construction equipment’s name and purpose down to the finest detail and you don’t mind correcting me or anyone else if they accidentally call a front-end loader a bulldozer.

3. I love all of your little sayings and things you do that make me laugh and look at you in amazement. You can tell me every turn to make to get to your “schkool” and that’s saying something for where we live. You really like peanut butter and jelly “sanjijiches” and they must be cut in a circle. I love how you say you are big John Hrin and you mean it. I love getting 1000 kisses at night and how you have to “see” your teeth to brush them right now. I love how you drive your new remote control “excabator” and don’t want to “dress fancy”.

4. I love your sweetness and how grateful you are. You are a good child that hardly ever gets into trouble. You listen and you help out and you look out for your Brother. What more could I ever ask for.

5. I love that you are a little shy and watch from afar before joining in the crowd but I love even more that once you do join in you do it with confidence!

6. I love that you are joyful. The smallest thing can make your eyes light up from a treat to a dollar store monster truck. You dance with joy and hilarity like no other.

7. I love that you adore your father and like to help him do “work.” I am so thankful that you have an amazing Daddy to guide you.

And a million more ways I love you. You are my sweet and beautiful 4 year old boy. I wish you everything in life that makes you happy and secure. You have taught me so much and I hope I am teaching you in the way you deserve so that you may carve out a good life. You are growing fast but will forever be my baby. The one who made me Mommy.

If I have a monument in this world, it is my son.
— Maya Angelou