Lately, E has been really into hugging people. Somewhere, somehow (at school, perhaps?) she learned how to give a really good hug and she hasn’t been shy about showing her new skill. She hugs family members, friends, and the other day I caught her hugging a stranger in line behind me at the bakery …

Today, she walked up to me and said, “HUG!!!” so I bent down and gave her a big hug as she squeezed me back with all her tiny might. I whispered for her to go give daddy a hug so she walked over and gave him a big hug, too. Then she returned to me for another hug and as she was embracing me, she said oh so quietly in my ear, “I love you…”

Perhaps those with neurotypical children won’t be able to appreciate the magnitude of what she just did. But I have a sneaking suspicion that autism or not, all moms can know the immense feeling of gratitude and wonder that overwhelms you when your child comes and says she loves you on her own volition for the first time ever. It only took 4 years but I finally got to experience that from E.

I’ve always known she loves me and she’s said she’s loved me before with some prompting or maybe in response to me saying it to her first. But I’m going to hold today’s sweet moment tightly in my heart; it’s these little graces that fuel special needs mamas to keep going. I’m so proud of her.

// Also, random little aside: she got into my nail polish stash today and tried to give herself a manicure. She came walking into the kitchen with nail polish all over her hands, clutching the open bottle, with a cheeky grin on her face saying, “Ooooops!” LOL my goodness, it was only a matter of time I suppose.