Happy 10th Birthday, Caden!!!

This morning when my alarm went off, my groggy eyes peeped open and the first thought that crossed my mind was:

Caden is 10 years old today.

When I told my nephew last week that I couldn’t believe he was turning 10, he said, “Why?  Does that make you feel old?”

Umm… yes.  Yes, it does, dude.

I remember vividly the day Caden Christopher was born.  It was a long, long day.  They had gone to the hospital the night before when my sister’s water broke, and I remember waking the morning of October 14th, 2005, thinking, “Today, I’m going to become an aunt!” 

And I did.  But it was quite a process before it became official.  In the afternoon, they were transferred from Shawville Hospital to Gatineau just in case a c-section was necessary, and then we sat by the phone waiting for news.  We waited, and waited, and waited… I’m pretty sure my mother and I – and maybe even my dad, though he hid it better - were complete basketcases by the time the phone finally did ring, around 9 PM that night, the new daddy calling to say that Baby Boy Provost had arrived safe and sound! 

He’s the boy that first made me an auntie, and he is absolutely, 100% one of the best kids I know – and I know I’m biased, but I really believe that.  He has such a big heart, a generous spirit, a warm smile and laugh, and still, to this day, does not leave without coming for a hug.   He’s thoughtful and kind and he makes me so proud that he is ours.

He’s still just a kid, too, don’t get me wrong.  He can drive me bonkers with the best of ‘em.  He’s a boy, and boys can be little pains in the rear end when they wanna be! haha!

But he’s the best kind of pain in the rear end you could ever hope to have in your life.  And I feel lucky to have him as my nephew.

Happy 10th Birthday, Caden!!  We love you, dude!!!