Traditions

Friday night we, as a family, embraced a tradition that has spanned centuries and cultures. We tied string to Jacob's loose tooth, wrapped the string around a door knob  and pulled it out by slamming the door shut. He almost chickened out, but in the end the tiniest tooth I've ever seen was on the floor gripped by the string, Jacob standing in stunned silence and then we all burst out laughing. That was fun.

We observed another long standing tradition after Jacob had gone to bed, when the tooth fairy...looking much like Tony in a t-shirt and boxers...left a dollar under Jacob's pillow. His sweet hand, still chubby and childish, lay protectively over his tooth, hoping that when the elusive fairy came, she would wake him up. Lucky for us, he didn't wake up. 

We tiptoed from his room, together. 

As these milestones come and go, as our children grow and begin to pull away from us- as they should- these same milestones draw Tony and I together. Each moment turned memory making up the silken threads of our cord of three strands. Bonds that are sure and true, promising to hold a lifetime. 

Tomorrow Jacob starts kindergarten and although I can't help but wonder where the time has gone, how my little baby from yesterday became the tall, smart, handsome boy today, my heart will hold strong. Because as we cross this milestone, we do it together, adding another glossy strand and pulling a little tighter.