Moments That Stay
I got a hug from my son the other day that surprised me.
Because in the last several months, at just seven years old, he’s gotten very independent–not wanting me to hug him around his friends, or call him “buddy”, or kiss him when I drop him off places.
I was sitting at the kitchen table and he just walked over and climbed up onto my lap.
At first, I thought maybe he was hurt or upset about something.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing.” He smiled.
Then he wrapped both his arms around my neck, rested his head on my shoulder, and hugged me.
I hugged him back.
Tight.
“Love you, Mom,” he whispered.
“Love you, too.” I could barely get the words out.
And I wished the moment would never end.
But too quickly, it did.
After a minute, he slid off my lap and ran upstairs to play.
And just like that, it was over.
But even though that moment didn’t last as long as I wanted it to, it stayed with me.
Because no matter how fast our kids grow, or how independent they become, moments like that never go away.
They never end.
They stay tucked away in the beautiful memories of motherhood.
Forever.
Precious! I love moments like that…unexpected but so sweet. A wonderful memory.
This makes me bawl of course because I seriously adore hugging my babies and I dread the day it will end and I can’t just scoop them up when I want to!Many blessings-Amanda
What a precious moment. Mine too is often unwilling to give or receive affection in front of his friends, but so far he’s still happy to snuggle when no one is looking.
*sniff, sniff*…how can any mommy read that and not tear up! oh how i love those moments and w/ 2 boys they are getting few and far between as they grow up. so i know exactly what you mean about memories! thank you Lord for little boys and their hugs!
what a sweet boy. My kiddo is 2.5 so I soak up as many hugs and I love you’s I can get. I know there will come a day he will think he is too big to hug or kiss his mommy.
My son is five, and those times are few and far between. When he is in a cuddle mood, I drop EVERYTHING and cuddle! They are only little once.
I am so into this post. Savored it. Every drop. Imagined it was me.So precious.
How beautiful! My oldest son is 6 1/2, and he hasn’t outgrown the hugs and kisses yet. I think the day he does I’m going to have a good long cry over it.
Beautiful! It’s great that you’re documenting these moments – I bet they’ll come in handy on a rainy day! I want to do the same.
They do stay, don’t they? My 9-year-old still crawls in my lap sometimes. I know my days are numbered, though…
great little tidbit I love moments like that
There is nothing in the world that comes close to the feeling of being hugged by my son.
I love those moments and the way you expressed them!
This is so true. I too try to soak them up and hold onto my kisses and hugs.
My 8 year old just crawled in lap yesterday and I stop reading my book just so I could hold on to him. I loved it.
Why is it that I always end up in tears when I read your posts??? What a perfect mommy moment for you. It makes me sad to think that in just a few short years my little one will be running away from my hugs and kisses instead of running to them. How does the time fly by so fast?
Precious moment – so true that they get rarer and rarer as they grow. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Oooh – how sweet! And sad, because I just pictured my own little “buddy” at 7 doing the very same thing! (I’m so glad I have another year or two of unsolicited big boy hugs!)
In some ways you are so excited to watch them grow, and in other ways you utterly dread it. So sweet that you were able to recognize what a blessing that special moment was…no matter how long it lasted.
Those are wonderful times. My son is now 10 and hates when I try to hug and kiss him too much, but every once in awhile, he still comes up and suprises me!!
Cherish these memories; I hate to say it, but they get farther and farther in between as the kids grow up! FYI, I’ve got an idea that might make that wonderful feeling last a while longer–I’m hosting another giveaway on my blog, starting tomorrow. Please drop by!
My boy is going to be 8 y/o later this month…so far he still is attached to me at the hip. I hope he stays like this a while longer!
Seven?! Said it ain’t so!? My heart melts whenever I get those fly by hugs…You just never want to let go :)
♡ What a sweet boy! I love moments like that too!
So sweet…I have two boys that are lovebugs and one that is like your little guy. Just a little more independent than he is lovey dovey. But like you said, there are those moments that he just needs a mama to hug. I love being that mama!
Sooo sweet!
mmmm. I remember when my boy came back to me… it was so wonderful, after years of no hugging mommy! now he’ll hug me, practically anytime and I just love it!
Aw, thats adorable.I know I don’t have kids yet but as a teenager I know this: It can just be a phase when kids are less huggy to their parents. I went through a phase like that but now I always hug the people close to me like my parents and my brother and his wife.Plus, I dont remember my brother (when he was a child) being very affectionate. But now he is a VERY affectionate person. He gives the biggest and tightest hugs…Just another thing I wanna add to this very long comment (i tend to talk allooot). Your son sounds quite mature for a 7 year old! He already beginning to be independent and all. It took me awhile to be more independent.
I’m so glad to hear those moments slip back in every now and then once they seem to stop. My 5 year old hasn’t hugged me at drop off at school or church since he was two. I do enjoy his early-morning grogginess that finds him climbing into my lap for a few minutes as he wakes to full consciousness. Being at school at 8 am in the fall won’t leave much time for morning cuddles, so I’m memorizing them now.I’m glad you got your surprise hug.
I need a new spot to tuck away those moments. My cup is full and I feel blessed. Thanks the image.
Love this post. I can relate, my seven year old with Asperger’s is not the most affectionate child in the world… but there are those moments of connecting and i am always so thankful for them!!!
Moments like that make being a mom so much more meaningful.
Seriously, you have no idea how much that hit home with me. I am a serious hugger and super touchy feely when it comes to my kids. My dh (dear hubby) on the other hand is not (Thank you 5 Love Languages for helping us with that one!)My boys (yep, two handsome boys) are 12 and 14 and every bit of the stereotypical boys at that age, but there are those few random (heavenly) moments when they will come up, out of the blue, and want to cuddle. My 14 year old is 5’9″, 145 lbs, and the other day he climbed into the recliner with me and cuddled up like he did when he was a baby and I rocked with him (it wasn’t easy) and we just sat like that for 15 minutes…don’t ya know, he feel asleep…but it was HEAVEN for me!!!I’ll take whatever I can get!!!Much Love,Melissa
So true, so very very true.I loved your post from a few days ago too on your family of encouragers and your writing goals. What a blessing.I am headed out this week for vacation. I will email you when we return the weekend of July 20th so we can get together.I am so looking forward to meeting with you!Love, Joanne
What a sweet moment, I wouldn’t want it to end either! I have a baby who is not really cuddly…but he has his sweet moments from time to time as well, during those I think I could stay there all day. :)
Wait till he’s 11. The hugs don’t come around often at all…except when I insist. That’s ok though. I can still see that he likes it and that is all that matters:) Great story!
The precious moments of motherhood that linger forever make this all worth it!
How sweet!! My daughter is still at the age that is all she wants. She says “Mom I need to hold you”. I don’t want her to grow out of that!! Love the blog!
Lovely! Sadly, moment like this are faster than a light. ‘Sweet moments never last, but the memories will last.’
I had a choked-moment or two with my toddler last night which I had to write about today. Oh, they get big so fast! Luckily, my 7 year-old boy is a snuggle-bunny and I never have to ask twice for a hug.
Oh, beautiful! This post made me tear up a little! You must be a wonderful mama to have such an affectionate "little" boy… :)