Monday's lunch

Monday, I was treated to lunch with my "son." His name is Andrew and he's currently a junior in high school. He was in my English class last year and in many ways, saved me from losing my mind. I started calling him my son after having a dream that Andy and I adopted him (which is hysterical in and of itself because Andrew comes from an incredible family). I told him about this crazy dream and from then on he's called me Momma D.

Andrew is working at a nice restaurant so that is where we went. He introduced me to every employee in the place I think, it was comical. As we began to order he said, "I'm buying, but you better not just order something that's cheap. You get what you want." I had to stifle laughter at many points because he was so incredibly endearing. Throughout the two hours, we discussed school, football, his girlfriend situation, the play he is in, and his future plans. My heart, quite simply, was overflowing. He even asked if Andy and I planned on having kids, my thoughts on that, and how work was going. It felt like he was making sure I'm happy and OK.

In the next few weeks, he'll be taking part in the school play. He'll be portraying Hermes and informed me his costume consists of wings and white gym shorts. He then let me know that after seeing him with no shirt, all the girls really were going to want him. I told him I was sure of that. He went on to say the theater teacher informed him he needed to go get a tan so he doesn't look naked, which resulted in an outburst of laughter from me.

At the close of our lunch, he even walked me to my car, and opened the door for me. He asked if I was ok getting back home, and was I sure I knew the way. It felt, for just a moment, like he really was my kid. I would take him, in a heartbeat, I really would. This kid is doing it right. He's a great student and athlete, and works hard at everything he does. Plus, he loves God. He wants others to be ok and not make the wrong decisions. He learns from mistakes and moves on. He is an extraordinary young man really.

Next year he'll be a big senior, then it's off to college. I look forward to seeing what God has mapped out for this kid. I pray he stays grounded and does not get caught up in all the junk, that he never forgets who he is. Lastly, I hope that everytime he sees me, he will run up to give me a hug shouting "Momma D!"