Friends

We enjoyed even more birthday excitement this weekend. Jersey #3 was invited to the pirate-themed birthday party of his friend from Awana Cubbies...

I will admit that I was thrilled to drive clear across town to take him to this birthday party this afternoon. It was a HUGE milestone! I had to work hard to contain my excitement, so that I would not embarrass him and damage his social progress.

The birthday boy is Jersey #3's very first friend...

Jersey #3 became friends with this child entirely on his own. They were in the same Awana class for 2 years in a row. Toward the end of the first year, they started to talk to each other and run around and play together. Half way into the second year, Jersey #3 was talking about his friend constantly...looking forward to seeing him at Awana....and asking to have his friend over to play. I have been over-joyed by the fact that my severely introverted, socially awkward son made a friend.

Moms usually spend more time cheering for crawling and walking milestones. With Jersey #3, making a friend is a much larger feat. This child of mine who came out of the womb with stranger anxiety. Who was attached to me like Velcro throughout his infant and toddler years. Who shed streams of tears from the anxiety of being asked to participate in a preschool-level class, sport, or activity. This child of mine has a friend.

Would it be inappropriate of me to start turning cartwheels right about now?