The Last Kiss

We have a house rule, when Zach is home with us, Mommy gets the last kiss at night. That last loving kiss on the cheek. I always have. I only miss the days when he sleeps over with Grandma and Pop. There, Grandma apparently gets the last kiss. I think I know where I get it from :)!

When Zach was 3, he was hospitalized with a severe asthma attack. That's when he was diagnosed. I'm petrified of heights and he was on the third floor. I visited, but once the panic attack started, I had to leave. He entered on a Friday night and left that Sunday. Daddy stayed with him. The only time in Zach's life Daddy got the last kiss.

I don't know why it's so important to me to get that last kiss. Zach knows he's loved. He tells us all of the time that the most important thing to him is his family. Family that wants nothing more then to show him we all love him. I am glad to share his hugs and kisses all day. But, the last one is MINE!!!

He likes it. Josh and I have joked about me being possessive over that last kiss. We go through so much together during the day. Ups and downs every day. That last kiss ends it in the best way possible. A reminder that no matter what happened that day, we love each other deeply.

Zach is turning the tables. Since camp let out he wakes me up with a kiss. Before Daddy can. He wants to be the first to kiss Mommy :)! We snuggle and he gets himself breakfast. A reminder at the start of each day that we love each other no matter what's ahead. Words can't describe how good that feels!

I won't get the last kiss forever. Someday, he won't want goodnight kisses from us. He might still be up for a hug. But, he won't want Mommy kisses. He'll be up later then us. We'll get a distracted "night" from him when we go to bed.

I lived with my parents when Josh and I were engaged. We were 24 on our wedding day, remember. Until then, I always gave my parents a goodnight kiss on their heads when I came in each night. They were in bed. Mom was asleep and Dad was trying to but never quite went to sleep. Not until my brother and I were both home safe. I always kissed him last.

Josh gives me my last kiss each night. I don't know which parent did it when I was growing up. They both probably got opportunities to be the last kiss for both me and my brother. But, I hope they felt good about being the last kiss. The last kiss is special. It's hard to explain why. But, it is. I'm going to miss it when Zach doesn't want it anymore. Will he kiss me last? Just like I used to do for my Dad? I hope so.