You're Worth It

Dear Brooklyn,
Every morning you wake and ask for Dad. Actually you say "I want dada" Most of the time dad is still home, but on those rare occasions that you've slept in past 7:15am- I have to tell you dad is already at work. You are always sad to miss seeing dad in the morning and I don't blame you, he's wonderful to wake up to!

I then go on to explain why dad goes to work and why I stay home with you. Sometimes it's good for me to say it out loud and hear myself say it. "Dad goes to work to provide for us. So we can eat, live in a house and so that Brooklyn and mom can be together all day" That's right my sweet little man, dad works very hard every day at a great job so we can be together!

Several years before we had you, dad and I had a very serious conversation about if I would stay home with you or not. We both agreed that the sacrifice of me not working was worth it, so that I could raise you and be with you everyday. It wasn't easy, not because I loved my job so much- but because we knew that we would not only sacrifice now to make that decision happen.. but in the next 5-10 years we would have less "stuff" and maybe a smaller house and maybe an older car- so that I could be with you while you are young and raise you.

So we sold your dad's car (a silver Acura he liked a lot) and bought a little Vespa scooter (we named her Vicki) and agreed to pay of school loans and any debt we had (besides our house). We budgeted and saved and I had to learn a completely different lifestyle. I had to only buy groceries that fit into our monthly grocery budget, we couldn't go out to eat very much because our entertainment budget allowed us about 2-3 times per month and we shared my car- the faithful Jetta I got when I was 16. In about 2 years we reached our "debt-free" status and bought another car for dad. We still had our small house- but we loved it and cared for it like it was a mansion!

I want you to know you were WORTH it!!! I would do it again and again and again. I've changed a lot since being a mom and I now would rather buy you clothes, shoes, toys and your favorite movie over buying a new shirt at my favorite store Anthropologie. Seeing you happy everyday and knowing that I made the right choice for our family is such an amazing feeling.
I want the time at home together to be one of learning, sharing and playing. I hope you will have the best foundation built for you as a little guy. That's why I stay home with you... that's why the sacrifice is all worth it.
You're worth it.
I love you and am so glad you are my son.

Love,
mom