You gave me your first kiss this evening. It was a warm evening. September 9, 2024.
Your brother was already in bed, so you had Mom and Dad to yourself. We were eating chicken strips and vegetables outside, enjoying a beautiful evening with a hint of early fall already in the air.
You were running around and coming back for bites of supper as you pleased. Your dad and I were sitting at the table, watching you pretend to be an airplane and run around the yard.
You came up to me, and you were smiling. It was such a nice sight to behold–you’re two and half, and there are so many moments when your face is filled with anger and frustration as you try to control your big feelings. But tonight, you were happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.
Your little hands gripped the armrest of my chair, and your beautiful blue eyes stared up at me. I wasn’t sure what you wanted or needed. I thought maybe you wanted to play with my earring as you love to do whenever we snuggle next to each other during story time.
But then I heard those precious, precious words, “I want to give Mommy a kiss.”
You’re not a cuddly little boy, and any attempts to pick you up for an extended hug are usually met with demands of “I want to go down!” And until now, if I asked for a kiss, it was either “no” or you’d rest your forehead against mine for a millisecond before running away. But tonight, you asked to give your mama a kiss.
I leaned down and our cheeks brushed each other. Your skin was so soft. I thought maybe we’d progressed from forehead bumping to cheek brushing, but no. I felt your little lips on my cheek and heard the “mwah” sound of an exaggerated toddler kiss.
I kissed you back and pulled you into a hug–you didn’t pull away quite as fast–and said thank you. You beamed up at me and said, “That made Zachary really happy.”
My sweet boy, it made Mama’s heart happy too. Lord willing, one day you’ll give a young lady a first kiss. Lord willing, one day you’ll give your bride a kiss on the first day of your lives together. Lord willing, one day you’ll give your newborn baby a tender kiss on the forehead. But your first kiss will always belong to me.
by Lynee Posthumus 
by Kimberly Keys 
