Come to think of it, he's always been this way.

I shared in a recent post that my son really isn't into his birthday.

He doesn't drop hints.

He doesn't plan for weeks.

He likes the day to quietly come and quietly go.

I was looking through some old photos to post a montage of past birthdays and I came across a few that made me realize,

well,

he's always been like this.

Let's take a look at his 3rd birthday, shall we?

There's my little sweetheart!

We were at a restaurant and thought how fun it would be to have the staff sing Happy Birthday.

This is the look on his face as they were approaching.

His Dad and I were grinning and smiling and saying, 

this is for you!

Let's just say he really didn't cotton to the attention.

Even if it included a brownie with a scoop of ice cream the size of his noggin.

They get almost finished with the song and The Predicament and I are clapping and smiling and my boy looks at me like this...

That face says, GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Even a year later you can see all this hoopla just isn't his thing.

So his birthday is here and he still has asked for nothing.

I have driven him nuts with

"how about this?' or "how about that?"

and he just patiently shakes his head.

Yesterday afternoon he shared with me that he hates it when his birthday is on a school day because they say the birthdays over the intercom.  

I went into his room and said, 

Happy Birthday Mr. 17 year old!

He said, "I know what I want for my birthday.  Can I sleep in and miss first period?"

{which conveniently make him absent for the birthday announcement}

What would you have said?

I said yes.  Especially after I came across these photos.

It has taken me 17 years to have it really sink in that my boy doesn't like a lot of fuss.

So today will pass quietly,

with some cash and a hug and maybe dinner out.

We won't tell the waiter we are celebrating.

 I may get him a cupcake, but that may be more about me.

PJ, if you read this one day...

I love you 

I adore you 

You are a quiet blessing

Thanks for giving me my favorite job ever...your Mom.