Melissa Michaels
About the Author

Melissa Michaels is the NY Times Bestselling author of Love The Home You Have and The Inspired Room book. Her blog, The Inspired Room, was voted Better Homes & Gardens Readers' Favorite decorating blog in 2014 and 2015. Melissa is a church planter's wife and a mom to three human kids and...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Melissa,
    What a beautiful reflection on motherhood – and particularly in mothering boys. I was an only child, and obviously a girl, so I didn’t know the first thing about being a mom to a boy who would grow to be a young man…but God was patient and He led me to lead him. My son is 22, and though he’d never admit it, there are sometimes when he just needs and wants his mom. Even though we launch them into the world and learn to let go…boys will always know, in the tough world of men, there is always a tender place called mom.
    Blessings,
    Bev

  2. Oh, this makes me all teary! I’m still at the diapers stage, but I have several friends with older boys, and already the days with my little guy are feeling like not quite enough. I wasn’t prepared for what a gift this time would feel like!

  3. Lovely thoughts, Melissa. I have 3 boys of my own, all in their twenties now, and those years seemed to flash by in seconds. What a blessing to be their mother; each and every day I thank God for them.

  4. Melissa, my heart resonates with this. We raised two, allowed them to follow God’s plan to go to college 10 hours away from home where they’ve recently graduated, gotten jobs, and stayed. My heart misses them deeply. We have one son still at home for two more years. We treasure every moment in these waning days. Parenthood is tough at times but such a privilege and blessing. Like you, I have cherished being a momma.

  5. I didn’t think that I knew a thing about being a boy-mom either…girly-girl that I am. But, God is so generous as to give us exactly what we don’t even know that we want.

    Twenty summers ago He gave me my first of three sons, and they teach me every day what a joy it is to be a boy mom. (And, maybe someday they’ll give me some granddaughters too. 🙂 )

    Lovely post, thank you for sharing. 🙂

    • He sure is good at giving us good gifts, even when we didn’t realize what we needed or wanted! Sons are a blessing and I’m so grateful God gave us this one!

  6. I am a ‘boy mom’ if two sweethearts.. I am currently pregnant and waiting to see
    If God has kept me a boy mom or if I get to experience a girl..I always said I wanted two boys and a girl, so I sort of feel like why wouldn’t it be a girl you know? 🙂 Either way I am extremely blessed to be a mama.. And look forward to cherishing every season with these special souls.

  7. I needed to read this today! I sent my own boy off to his first week at sleep away camp yesterday. In all the emotions I’ve felt this past 24 hours, I really felt in a way that it is God’s first step in preparing me to let him go to college and then out into the world one day.

    • WAHAHA!!! I know the feeling. My boy has been going to summer camps for quite a few years and I still cry to see him walk away!!

  8. I have four girls and my heart feels ever the same way about them. My oldest just graduated from high school. Bittersweet days for a momma heart. Beautiful reflection here of yours.

  9. And now I’m crying! This is SUCH a perfect description of what it means to be the Momma of boys. I have 3 and my eldest is heading into his senior year of High School. I still am startled when he walks into the room and he’s 6’4″ and 210 lbs…when I fully expect him to still be that mop headed, giggly faced toddler. It’s crushing how fast the time really does go. This month we have watched him grow so much – getting his drivers license, opening his first checking account, receiving his first paycheck. So many milestones that lead him towards independence. It is a blessing, but still hard to realize. The cool thing is that I am still needed in so many ways, even though he is gaining more and more independence. I see glimpses of what our relationship will look like into the future. He comes to me for advice. He shares joys of his work day and successes in his athletic endeavors. He seeks me for prayer and asks for consolation during trials. There is comfort to know that yes, they grow and leave, but they will ALWAYS need their Mommas.

    • AHH! They do grow too fast, but it is wonderful to see them becoming who they were created to be and knowing our investment in them was worth every moment.

  10. I’ve been doing the teen thing for 11 summers and this is my last one. The little brother of my three girl turned 19 just a month and a half ago. Last summer he spent fighting California’s wilderness fires. This summer he chose summer school…so I’m being thankful for my last summer with my man child home. (At least he gets his UPS here). His fire station boots just got delievered, so I know my daily hug times are limited. Enjoy!

    • Deena,
      That is really courageous of your son. We deal with them in our area too. Thank-you to your son and those like him that are out there battling these fires.

  11. How sweet and sad Melissa all at the same time. Thank-you for sharing your heart with us……

  12. Today is June 22, which is my son’s 14th birthday. We homeschool, so he and I have spent quite a bit of time together this year, much of it battling
    growing pains. However, when I look past the differences in us, I see a young man who really loves the Lord and wants to please Him. And with God”s grace, will be a Godly leader in his home and his nation one day, in the not too distant future. Looking back, I wouldn’t have taken a million dollars for our struggle. We are stronger, and closer for it. Thanks for your encouraging words.

  13. This brought tears to my eyes as my oldest is a senior and next year will be his last summer with us as he is planning to leave for the air force sometime late summer /fall:/ I am so proud of him but it is hard to let go ……as God has so far just blessed me with boys I have several summer’s with the rest of them but I think letting go of my oldest will be the hardest ….he has grown into a handsome wonderful young man

  14. This is a beautiful post, and I’m all teary. If 18 years is not enough, and it’s not, 19 is not any better. We are preparing to send our youngest off to college in just a couple of months…it hasn’t been enough time. Not by a long-shot. But we’ve been down this road before…he’s the youngest of 4. He is ready…I am not. I hate it and I love it all at the same time…these growing pains. So thankful that in the midst of all the changes, God never changes. Thank you for sharing your heart in this post.

  15. Beautiful story Melissa. Letting go of children can be hard. You work so long & hard to raise them right only to let them out in this big bad world. Treasure all the time you have with them!
    Blessings to you!