Dear Toby,

As your 37th birthday approaches, I find myself wrapped in a whirlwind of memories, moments that only you and I shared, moments that I hold close to my heart. Thirteen years have passed, but not a single day goes by without thoughts of you filling my mind and making me smile. I wanted to write to you today, to tell you about the joy you brought into my life and the laughter we shared.

Do you remember that time when you wanted me to buy you a video game, and I said no? You didn’t sulk or argue. Instead, you climbed upstairs, armed yourself with socks, and started pelting them at me from above. It was your way of protesting, but we couldn’t stop laughing about it, even later. It’s one of those memories that still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

And do you remember those Flintstone jelly sweets I used to give you! Oh, Toby, I can still see your little face when you discovered I’d accidentally given you two Bettys instead of a Wilma and Betty. “You gave me two Bettys!” you wailed, with such dramatic flair that it became one of our running jokes. It’s funny how something so small could bring so much laughter into our lives.

We loved our TV marathons, didn’t we? Friends and Sabrina the Teenage Witch were 2 of our favourites.  Do you remember that weekend when we stayed in our pyjamas all day, camped out on the living room floor with duvets and cushions, and binge-watched Sabrina while snacking on everything we could find? That’s a day I’ll never forget—just you and me, in our little bubble of comfort and joy.

Toy Story was our favourite movie.  Oh, how you loved Woody and Buzz. The first time we watched it, your face lit up with pure wonder. I don’t even know how many weekends we went back to the cinema—five, six? Maybe more. When you went to university, I sent you that tiny set of Toy Story characters, hoping they’d bring you a little piece of home. I imagined you placing them on your window ledge, a small reminder of all those movie weekends we cherished.

Toby, these memories are treasures that no one else can truly understand. They’re ours alone, and they’ve become my refuge in the years since you’ve been gone. I miss your laughter, your quick wit, and the way you made every day brighter just by being in it.

As Sunday approaches, I’ll celebrate your birthday in my own way, remembering all the joy you brought into my life. I’ll think of your cheeky grin, your infectious laughter, and the love we shared. You’re always in my heart, Toby, and always will be.  

Happy birthday, my beautiful boy.

I’ll always love you, Mom