June 24, 2021

I Loved You Before I Even Knew You

On December 9th at approximately 3:42 pm on a Wednesday, you came onto this earth. And since then, my life has ever changed.

You might wonder why I’m only writing to you and not Collin.

Well, in my heart, I know the past year has been a struggle for you and our family.

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in life’s daily to do’s and your brother’s needs that I know you feel forgotten.

But this is a letter to you to let you know I do not forget you.

I want you to know how lucky I am to have you in my life.

You are funny, smart, and silly. I sometimes wonder if you know how incredible you are?

You are a thoughtful son and a loving brother.

My love for you is fierce and unchanging.

No matter whatever you might face, the darkest storms, or the brightest rainbows. I will always be by your side. And those times when life can make you angry, confused, or struggling to find yourself, I promise to love you even more.

And when you think I can’t possibly understand, I hope you realize I just might.

My mom, your Nana, would tell me when I was little, “I loved you before I even knew you.”

So remember Jonah, I love you on the good days and the bad days, and every day in between, I love you whole heartily.

Written by, Deana Welsh

I’m Deana. We live in Oviedo, Florida. I’m a wife and a mom to twin boys Collin and Jonah. Collin was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2. I blog about all our adventures at sevenyellowbananas.com. You can also follow us on Instagram sevenyellowbananas and FB at Seven Yellow Bananas.

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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