When I was sixteen, my cousin Vanessa was born. Two days shy of a year later, her brother Zachary was born, the summer I turned seventeen. My sister and I babysat them quite frequently and were around for a large portion of their “tot” lives. When Zach was two, I went away to college. Samm, my sister, graduated two years after me and spent more time with them. While I was in Mansfield going to college, I missed out on a lot of their lives. Four years ago this June, Vanessa and Zach were in my wedding. This is the Zach that I remember…

It was emotional for me knowing that I would now be living in Mansfield all the time and not getting to see them over the summer when I wanted to or on frequent weekend trips “home”.

To my surprise, about a month ago, my aunt called me and said Zach would like to come and stay with us some weekend and watch Star Wars with you guys. On Friday night, Jared and I met them in Troy and brought Zach back with us. The agenda called for all six Star Wars movies.

I didn’t know what to expect from this kid, who is now 10, but in my mind stays at about 5 permanently. There are times when I am talking to Vanessa or Zach and I catch myself treating them like the little babies I remember leaving so long ago. We had so much fun this weekend. Jared is still trying to recuperate from the flu, so we laid low. Friday night we watched the first two of the middle trilogy, made popcorn, and played video games.

Zach showed me some of his artwork, freehand I might add …

Saturday brought the other 4 movies, a “hike”, and cookies.

We took him back to Troy this morning to meet his parents. He wanted to stay longer and I was so touched that I get to have a relationship back with this “baby” that I once held so near and dear to my heart. I was painfully aware of the years that have passed since I last took real time to sit down and talk with Zach or make time in my “busy” life to stop and see him and Vanessa. Hopefully this weekend will pave the way for many more to come.