Lucky number 7.

My kiddo, Jack, turned 7 this past week. It’s that age when he still needs his Mommy close but is starting to pull away… “ew Mom, don’t kiss my cheek.” (which is promptly followed by wiping his face vigorously with a smirk). And don't even get me started on the times he calls me "bruh." As I watched him blow out his birthday candles this past week, I felt a familiar rush of emotions wash over me. I want him to grow into the strong young man he's becoming, but my heart aches to hold onto these fleeting kiddo moments forever. It's the sweetest kind of heartache. 

This year feels different though. He's growing so fast, his independence blossoming like spring buds. I've been thinking about the significance of the number 7. It's not an age that gets much attention, caught between the milestone of kindergarten and the approach of double digits. But the number itself carries weight across cultures: seven colors in a rainbow, seven days in a week, seven wonders of the world. In a way, seven represents completeness. And somehow, seven years with Jack already feels both complete and just beginning.

As we celebrate his seventh year, I find myself reflecting on everything I've learned from my little teacher. He teaches me things that, while I've known deep down, have needed his pure perspective to remind me. I've captured many of these little wonders over the years in my blog posts. So in honor of Jack’s lucky number birthday, here are my 7 standouts:

1. Trust your heart over your mind: Just like when Jack's eyes lit up in amazement at the Museum of Illusions, I realized that while our minds can doubt and overthink, our hearts hold the truth. As Jack enters his eighth year, I hope he continues to see the world with that heart-led wonder, even as his whip-smart mind develops.
2. Learn to fall forward: Watching Jack skateboarding, I was inspired by his resilience. He taught me that falling isn't failing. It's how we learn to fly. Now, watching him take on new challenges in school and sports (baseball is his favorite!), I see how this early lesson has shaped his confidence in ways I couldn't have taught with words alone.
3. Embrace life’s contradictions: When Jack faced a Lego challenge, it highlighted the growth found in our indecision between "I want it, and I don't want it." Tension between these two points can be where the magic happens. Jack's ability to hold two truths at once is something I hope he carries into his increasingly complex world.
4. Trust in what grows: Gardening with Jack is a reminder that sometimes clearing away the weeds in our lives creates space for new opportunities to take root. Watching Jack dive into creative projects like making YouTube videos with infectious enthusiasm reminds me to nurture that inside-out confidence as he grows.
5. Find your people: When Jack insisted on getting his Thomas the Train a caboose, it reminded me of the importance of connections. Life's journeys are best shared with those who have your back when the track gets steep. I'm so proud watching Jack become the kiddo who brings even the shy kids out of their shell. His friendships are deepening, and I'm watching him not only find his 'cabooses' but become one for others.
6. Even the brightest of us deserve breaks: Jack once said, "Mommy, sometimes the stars hide too." This simple truth from his little four year old mouth struck me with its wisdom. I hope Jack takes this self-compassion insight into his life and remembers that rest isn't weakness. It's how we recharge our inner light.
7. Make someone proud today: Seeing the world through Jack's eyes has transformed my choices and who I've become. It's important to decide who you want to make proud, and then let that guide you. Not only has Jack changed me into a better person, but watching him grow has been the greatest privilege of my life.

As I sit with the reality of my lucky #7 year old... this boy with bruised knees and endless questions... one truth remains unchanged: I am one damn lucky mom. And as we venture into year eight together, I know the lessons will keep coming... from both of us. Because that's the true magic of being a parent: in teaching him to navigate the world, I'm constantly rediscovering it myself... one small wonder at a time.