No One Can Tell Us What to Dream

"No one can tell us what to dream, Mom." Brodey said to me in the car this morning on the way to school.
"That's right. We can dream whatever we want."
"I like to dream about you."
"Aw Bro I like to dream about you too!" As I get all teary-eyed.
"Last night I dreamed that me and you were playing in the snow. It was a really good dream."
And I melt.
Yesterday I showed up a little bit early to pick Bro up from school. Mrs Tuck was reading them a book and in the book a baby tiger was dreaming. "No one can tell us what to dream" she told everyone. Brodey looked over at me and smiled. That must have meant something to him because I could see the wheels turning. It's like magic.
It's like when they are babies and they are learning to crawl. You are so proud that your heart is going to burst out of your chest, but at the same time it's sad because you know it's one step more to them growing up. Then they learn how to walk and it's the same feeling all over again...but you start putting the breakables away. ;)

I told Erin last night that it's the exact same feeling all over again when they start to learn letters and are on the edge of learning to read.
"Hey Mom. Your name starts with A."
"Yes Bro my name starts with A." I'm so proud my heart swells.
"Oh your name starts with an A like Arianna's name starts with an A!" And my heart explodes into a million pieces.
But you know what? I didn't teach him that. I helped along the way, but Mrs Tuck is the one that taught him that. And she also taught him that no one can tell us what to dream.

On the edge of Brodey's first year of PreK being over, I sit here and think of how thankful and appreciative I am. Sending your child off into the unknown for 7 hours every day is scary. I couldn't have done it if it weren't for an awesome teacher that I trust and I know that cares for Brodey as much as anyone besides his Mom could.
No gift I could give and no words I could type would express how thankful I am. I'm thankful for patience, empathy, humor, and caring. I'm mostly thankful for putting up with a neurotic Mom who freaks out if she sends her kid to school in shorts and it turns cold. ;)
WE LOVE YOU MRS TUCK!!! We couldn't have asked for a better teacher! Your future students are very lucky to have you! (Don't worry we'll make sure they appreciate! We'll be next door! Ha!)
Okay off to fix my nonwaterproof mascara! ;)
LUV APRIL