The Longest Goodbye

Koen and I have the sweetest morning ritual 

that unfolds when I drop him off at school.

After he hangs his jacket on his hook,

he marches over and tugs at my coat

then looks up at me with

his big blue eyes and says 

"Kiss me, mama?"

I crouch down and he slips 

into my arms

and we hug

and we kiss

and we hug

and we kiss.

We do this for at least 3 minutes.

Then I head for the door 

and he follows me,

tugging on my coat once again and says

"Just one more kiss, mama?"

So I lean over him 

 letting my hair fall around his face

and I shake my head 

so that my hair tickles him.

We laugh and kiss again.

Then I open the door

and he scampers close behind

grabbing my coat again.

"How about a big hug?"

he asks.

So I reach down and pull him close to me

until he teacher walks over and takes his hand.

"Come help me feed the fish." she says

and he slowly steps back

waving and blowing kisses as 

I back out of the room.

The door shuts behind me

and he stands in the window,

waving at me until I'm out of sight.

It's the sweetest thing ever.

The other day his teacher said

"I hope that when I  have children one day

that they will love me as much as he loves you."

I'm one lucky mama!

I'll forever treasure our

long goodbyes.