The Little Boy Who Has Always Had My Heart

The Little Boy Who Has Always Had My Heart 💛

Around Thanksgiving, many years ago, Dennis and I stood in an airport outside customs waiting to meet our son.

We had only seen Zach through a few photographs. That day, several children were arriving from India to meet their families, and as one beautiful little baby or toddler after another came through, I kept wondering:

Will I know him? Will I recognize our little boy?

And then suddenly, he emerged from customs.

I knew.

There was no hesitation in my heart. That was our son.

The missionary who had traveled with him brought him over to us and told us about the long journey. His flight had even been snowed in in Frankfurt before finally continuing to Chicago. Zach looked exhausted. His eyes were wide, and this little toddler understandably seemed apprehensive and unsure about everything happening around him.

Finally, I reached out my arms, and she handed him to me.

Our little boy was home.

Afterward, as we headed back to the hotel, Dennis was holding him. He could tell Zach was frightened and tired, and he quietly told him, “It’s okay, buddy. You’re going to be okay.”

And Zach reached up and patted Dennis on the shoulder.

It was almost as though he were saying, I know I am.

The next morning, we left Chicago and drove home. Zach slept nearly the entire way.

When we finally pulled into our driveway, I took him from the car, set him down, and held his little hand.

And one of the first things our brand-new son did made Dennis and me laugh.

Instead of heading toward the house, he headed straight for the garage.

Inside was Dennis’s big 1953 Chrysler. Zach walked over to that enormous shiny bumper and bent down to look underneath the car—as serious as any lifelong car enthusiast inspecting an engine.

Dennis could hardly believe it.

We had apparently brought home a car guy. 🚗💛

Then we went inside.

I had put our Christmas tree up early that year because I wanted it waiting for him when he came home. It was a nine-foot tree covered in twinkle lights and beautiful ornaments.

I can still remember Zach standing there, staring up at it in amazement.

There were toys waiting for him, too.

And out of all those toys, what did he choose first?

A little car with a handle that he could push along the floor.

Of course he did.

Sometimes I look back on those first hours together and think about how beautifully God seemed to have matched this little boy with our family.

The love of cars certainly never disappeared.

As Zach grew, we began noticing something else. His personality fit our family just as naturally. Dennis and I are fairly quiet and reserved people. We are homebodies at heart.

Zach grew into much the same kind of man.

He began college working toward a business degree, but that lifelong fascination with cars eventually led him to technical school to study automotive mechanics. Today, he has found a way to combine both parts of his education in his work as a claims adjuster.

But his accomplishments aren’t what make me proudest.

I am profoundly proud of the man he has become.

He is hardworking and responsible. He has remained close to his father and me. He has remained faithful to the faith in which we raised him, even as he grew into adulthood and had to decide for himself what he believed and what kind of man he wanted to be.

And he loves home.

Over the years, he has gradually taken on more and more of the maintenance and care of the childhood home that will someday become his own. When one of us is sick, injured, or simply needs another pair of hands, he is there.

He steps up.

He helps.

He stays.

And somehow, all these years later, our bond with our son is stronger than ever.

When Zach was very little, I used to hold him close and hug him.

One day he said something to me that I have carried in my heart ever since:

“Mama, do you feel that love that goes back and forth from your heart to my heart, and my heart to your heart?”

Yes, sweetheart.

I felt it then.

I feel it now.

And I imagine I will feel that love going back and forth between our hearts for as long as mine is beating.

Of all the blessings God has placed in my life, being Zach’s mother is one of the greatest.

The little boy who came through those airport doors so many years ago still has my heart.

He always will. 💛

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” — 3 John 1:4

Helene
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