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The 4 Year Old Who Vowed to be His Mom's Little Boy Forever Did Not Keep His Promise

When Taylor was just four sweet years old he told me that he would be my little boy forever, but ever since I first looked into his newborn eyes I knew then that he would forever be my baby. I often think of a favorite children's book, I'll Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch and how a mother, even in her old age and her son's adulthood, would sneak into her son's bedroom at night and rock him in his sleep. It is even more meaningful to me now that I have teenagers and adult children than it was when I was reading to them when they fit on my lap. No matter how big they get, my kiddos will always be my babies. 

 Last May Taylor moved into a townhome with his friends. I knew from the day he was born that he would one day leave the nest. I know he has been itching to be on his own for a while, but he's paying for college and a truck as well as his expensive hobbies so rent didn't fit into his budget. In  April, however, Destry told me that he went to see a townhouse that his aunt, Larayne Day had purchased as an investment. It needed a couple of repairs to get it ready  and asked if Destry could make them. Destry asked her how much rent she wanted and if she would consider renting to a group of guys. She said that had another rental that she rented to a handful of bachelors and that it worked out great for all involved. So Taylor found three buddies and hatched a plan to move into his own place. 

I could not be more happy for him or his choice of friends who moved in with him. They are lifelong friends who are familiar with Taylor and his need to not have peanut products in the house and his potential need to be given shot  to save his life. They still agreed, bless them. I know they will look out for him and will not be annoyed by not being able to have peanut butter sandwiches.  Matt Wright is in a room across the hall from him as is Brian Earl. Taylor snagged the master bedroom and I think the Matt shares that bathroom with him. Brian uses the other one that is also on the third floor of the town house. Ethan has the room on the main floor and his own bathroom. It is a great layout for a group of single adults. There is room to spread out and to host parties. The ground floor consists of the garage, one bedroom and one bathroom. The second floor houses the kitchen, great room and powder room. There is also a nook for two desks.  Upstairs has three bedrooms and two full baths as well as a laundry room. It has been great for them.

Would it be weird to say that I don't actually miss him? I mostly don't and here's why--I have more quality time with him now that he has moved out than when he was still living here. I was worried that he would say, "peace out" and be on his merry independent way when I drove away from his new home after helping him move some things in and then making a quick trip to the grocery store. He didn't. And not only that, but when he is here is hangs out with us, he visits, massages my shoulders, and plays games. He hasn't missed a family activity. When he lived here he would either hole up in his room or sit at his computer with headphones on. There were fewer interactions then than we have with him now. I couldn't be more thrilled about that! He also hasn't died which is definitely a bonus. His A1C is in check and he responsibly takes himself to his endocrinology appointments every three-four months. He orders his pump and glucose monitor supplies, but I still pick up his insulin.  

He just turned 21 so I guess that makes him more of an adult because now he can go to a bar. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said sort of, but that when he turned 18 he wanted to buy dry ice, but he hasn't done that yet. We opted for the Harvest Restaurant instead. It has a fancy feel without breaking the bank and they serve both steak and seafood, Taylor's favorites, so that seemed like a good choice.  He may not be my little boy like he promised me when he was 4 years old; in fact, he is very much a man, but  "I'll love him forever, I'll like him for always, as long as I'm living, my baby he'll be."


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