Things change. Things have always been changing.

I met this guy when he was 10. He was tiny with long hair. He took to me quickly. I was dating his brother- his hero- so I had an easy in. He wanted me to tuck him in at night. Would call out "I'm sitting next to Bri!!" at meals, in the car, watching tv.

Things change. Things have always been changing.

I was there when he became a teenager that weekend in February. He was 11, and woke up at noon (!) with an attitude. But he was always sweet around me. We went on dates. We curled up on the couch to read. We sang in my car.  His favorite thing in the WORLD was weekends spend at Ryan and my house.

Things change. Things have always been changing.

After Ryan and I broke up, I think he had the hardest time with it. He texted me a lot. And I missed him like crazy. He texted me with excitement the day he got his first girlfriend; and I cried because I missed it.

Things change. Things have always been changing.

Three months ago, we had breakfast. He was tall. Serious. His voice was deep. But he put his arms around me. Called the seat next to me. Texted "I love you. Miss you" as I left.  His mom said he hadn't smiled that much in months; and I cried.

Things change. Things have always been changing.

Last night, he was even taller. Texting his girlfriend and being a 14 year old. When did He get a deep man voice?  Texting me secrets- like how he says "I love you" to her and means it. He had stories he wanted to tell me- his eyes danced  He still throws his arms around me, and laughs when I tease him. He puts his head on my shoulder and listens to me telling him how he is so smart- so much more than average. And as they pull away he texts me "I love you. Miss you."

And I cried.

Things change, but some things stay the same.