15

Stephen will be 15 on Sunday. My first thought is...how can I have a 15 year old? And then I think...how lucky I am to have such a great kid. I love being his mom. I'm not into long birth stories so here is the condensed version....

We were living in Ft. Rucker, Alabama and the night before Stephen was born there was a graduation ball to celebrate the end of flight school for Steve.  I don't think I left the dance floor all night. I was doing the Electric Slide  and a woman said to me..."You better sit down or you're going to have that baby"....I told her that I was not due for another 2 weeks and had nothing to worry about.

We got home late that night and I had the best nights sleep. I woke up around 7:00 AM to my water breaking. I called the nurse and she told me to come in. Not feeling any contractions, I made breakfast for my Father in law and packed my bag. Steve and I left for the hospital around 8:00 and after a few contractions and a couple of pushes Stephen was born, drug free, at 9:30. I remember my doctor asking how I felt and I told him that I felt like I could run a marathon.( I've never run a marathon and really have no desire to...so I don't know why I said that).

While I was in labor, with Steve by my side, his family was at the graduation ceremony receiving for him the highest award in his class. The General  informed the entire audience that Steve could not attend the ceremony because his wife had just delivered a baby boy. This is how is family found out we had a boy.

Since his birth 15 years ago, Stephen has lived in 5 different states and another country. I could not be more proud of this kid. He's a great kid. I think I need to tell him that more. He's funny, smart, kind, and loving to his family. His siblings look up to him more than he knows.

I love you buddy. Happy Birthday!