Colin,

You are nine years old!  I can’t believe it’s your final year of single digits because it feels like only a year ago that you came into this world and made me a mom. For years you’ve been impressing me with your ability to retain numbers, identify patterns, and recall all of it as if it’s common knowledge. Every year you get smarter and more creative.

The elaborate maps you draw and towns you invent (complete with century-long histories) are so creative. When we travel you love to analyze maps and learn about the history of the area. Highways, street signs + license plates are your jam. To pass the time, you often ask if you can have my phone to “play with Apple Maps.” When we were in Disney, I thought it was so cute that you asked the Lyft driver if we’d be taking the I-4 route and specifically what exit. I wonder if someday you will be a tour guide in your favorite city? Or work for Google Maps?

You’re also our family “garbage man”… always picking things up off the ground (for better or worse), grabbing every free brochure or giveaway available, and insisting that we keep packaging for all the things. Your room and closet are usually a complete mess because of your growing collection of treasures and memories. You certainly didn’t inherit my minimalist tendencies, but I do admire your sentimental nature.

I’m so lucky I get to be your Mom, Colin.

Love, Mom

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See more letters to Colin:  the first year I two years I  three years  I  four years  I  five years I  six years I  seven years I eight years