My dearest Owen, 

Today you are six years old. Watching you this past year has been such a sweet ride. You started Kindergarten and are blossoming in ways that your father and I are in awe of. Your ability to make friends and care for others is such a gift and I hope it’s one that you never lose. It is such a trip for us to walk through the school campus and have so many kids stop and say hi to you. You are loved and adored more than I think you will ever know.

Yesterday we set out on a walk as a family to get some fresh air and to make sure we documented a few annual birthday portraits of you. As I stepped back to snap a photo, your Dad asked me if I wanted him to take the Disney Band-Aid off that graced your elbow knowing full well that it would be in all of the pictures. I smiled and told him no. Because looking at you in the frame you suddenly seemed years older – a young man that will, before I know it, be leaving me more and more as you build your own life. And that Disney Band-Aid was the one thing yesterday that helped me see you as my little boy still. Because if memory serves me, I was the one that kissed that scrape all better the other day and then scooted you back outside to go slay some more dragons with your little sister in the backyard.

Those tiny moments. Those mundane minutes in my life as a mother are truly what make it the sweetest. That and your crooked, sly smile. The way you collect everything and refuse to give any of your treasures up. Your love for rough-housing and the way you want to snuggle up in bed with me just minutes after – you happen to be the most beautiful mix of wild boy and sweet gentleman. And don’t even get me started on those baby blues of yours. They still make me go weak in the knees.

Happy Birthday, my sweet Wolfie. May every wish come true for you.

With every piece of me, 

Mom

(Take a look back at Owen’s 5th birthday, 4th birthday and 3rd birthday)