For a long time it was easier to list the things he wasn’t doing.

Sleeping through the night.

Self soothing.

Eating a variety of foods.

Talking.

This autism thing? There’s not a road map or a crystal ball. You’re never super sure what you’re going to get on a given day. Will he sleep through the night? Eventually, probably- but not consistently. Will he able to self soothe? Yep, but about a year and a half after his peers. And the food thing? We’re still working on that. But one of my favorite things about this life is the shifted perspective and the true appreciation for little victories. Like the first time he wore socks and shoes to school. Or when he got off the bus in Kindergarten and actually told me what he did for Choice time at school without me asking. Or when he answered the door that none of us heard for the pizza delivery. (That just happened and he didn’t say a word to the girl just took the pizza and closed the door. Kind of hilarious)

But this one?? Seeing this today when I pulled up my Timehop took my breath away. And it’s not because I didn’t know he loved me until he said it that night- the thing about this kid is he and I speak the same language, and we always have. So I knew. But they never asked on the therapy intake forms if my kid had told me he loved me yet, and so I had no idea just how much that moment would mean.

Perspective and little victories.

Here’s to more of both for us all.

And in case nobody’s told you lately, I love you.