So here is my promise for this series—and to myself:

But here’s what I’m discovering in Part 1 of this journey: his pulling away isn’t rejection. It’s the first draft of his independence. Mom-Son -1-

I stood frozen for a second, my palm still tingling from where his fingers used to be. So here is my promise for this series—and

I won’t pretend it doesn’t sting. It does. There are mornings I miss the little boy who yelled “MOMMY!” from his crib like I was a rockstar entering the arena. I won’t pretend it doesn’t sting

I will not make him feel guilty for growing up. I will not cry where he can see me (okay, maybe just once). And I will learn to love the fist bump, even while I miss the sticky, small hand in mine.