(The last few weeks' activities have put me in a place of reminiscing. With the wedding of my youngest son just a few short days away, I have been going through photo albums and boxes of stuff. These are the things that have been going through my head as I process the transition of Riley's start of his new family)
I remember... the day you were born - the crazy ride to Red Deer in the ambulance - hearing the words "it's a boy"- the terror when you didn't cry right away - the silence of the nurses and doctors as they tried to get you to take your first breath - the euphoric relief when you did - the way your big sister touched your fingers and kissed your forehead - the feeling that we were a complete family...
I remember... your amazing dimples - your dark brown eyes, always sparkling, like something amazing was going to happen - your bald head and cauliflower ears - your calm and laid back attitude - being able to make you laugh so easily - your Grandma and Grandpa calling you Boustos - your love of "ronies" and "trees" with personality (Kraft Dinner and broccoli with Cheez Whiz) - reading Robert Munsch's "I'll Love you Forever" and singing that song to you over and over and over - your sweetness...
I remember...your love for the outdoors - your desire to do everything just like your Dad, hunting, fishing, hockey, shooting - your lack of fear of heights, loud noises, spiders, snakes, dead animals, live animals - the baby chicks, puppies, kittens, frogs, etc that you wanted to bring home - your love of animals and the gentle way that you treated all of God's creatures - your living every moment full throttle...
I remember...Elvis Presley and Austin Powers - your ability to make everyone laugh until they cried - your unabandoned freedom to be totally ridiculous - your willingness (well, sometimes it took a bribe) to perform in front of crowds of people to make them smile - your goofy goofy self - loving to dress up for dress up days, even when your friends were "too cool" to do it themselves - your sense of fun...
I remember... your love for people around you - the way that you treated your little cousins - how you played their games, even when you got too old for those games - how you genuinely love to spend time with them, valuing them no matter how old they or you were...the way you love your sister, protected her from those that tried to hurt her - how you two told each other your deepest secrets and knew that they were safe from exposure - the tight hugs and kisses freely given to your silly aunties that expected it every time you came in - your ability to say " I love you" without hearing someone else say it first - your sweet and tender heart....
I remember... when you first told me that you really really liked "this girl" - the games nights at our house with your friends, including this special girl - seeing you get the courage to ask her to be your girlfriend and doing it in a creative way - watching you fall in love with her and being happy because I loved her too - growing up to be a man, a husband, and hopefully one day a Dad - one that I am so very very proud of...
and now, just a few hours away from your wedding day I can't help but think of those very familiar words...
"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as you're living
My baby you'll be"
Forever and always, my Ri-Guy...
Love Mommy
xo
I remember... the day you were born - the crazy ride to Red Deer in the ambulance - hearing the words "it's a boy"- the terror when you didn't cry right away - the silence of the nurses and doctors as they tried to get you to take your first breath - the euphoric relief when you did - the way your big sister touched your fingers and kissed your forehead - the feeling that we were a complete family...
I remember... your love for people around you - the way that you treated your little cousins - how you played their games, even when you got too old for those games - how you genuinely love to spend time with them, valuing them no matter how old they or you were...the way you love your sister, protected her from those that tried to hurt her - how you two told each other your deepest secrets and knew that they were safe from exposure - the tight hugs and kisses freely given to your silly aunties that expected it every time you came in - your ability to say " I love you" without hearing someone else say it first - your sweet and tender heart.... 
