Truth Bomb #3: Fear is a Liar (But sometimes it will make you cuss a little....and pee your pants!)

I'm afraid of a lot of things, I'll fully admit. I hate spiders and snakes, and you will never ever find me entering a reptile house at the zoo. I'm deeply afraid of heights and will never jump from an airplane willingly. Listen, I can stand in front of an audience and present a speech with no problem, but that stage better be low to the ground!

Which brings me to last night, and the lessons our children can teach us if we let them. Andrew and I make weekly date nights a priority. It's quality time with my little man away from his sister and any drama our family is facing. It's wildly important to me to make that time happen every week, because our mother/son connection is so strong, and when I only see him part-time, I want to soak up every minute. He usually gets to choose, and it's often a movie night, putt putt or something as simple as checking out a new ice cream store. Last night, it was a big night out at King's Island.

Real talk. I hate that place. It's hot, I'm sweaty, I can't stand roller coasters anymore for the reasons I already mentioned, and I always leave there feeling like I need a long hot shower and a dose of hand sanitizer! But I'm a momma who will do anything for her kids, so off we went to KI after work. He was beyond excited for this particular big night out and the moment we finally entered the park, he suddenly became my cheerleader.

Andrew is a no-fear child. That kid climbed a massive rock wall on TOP of a cruise ship when he was 5 years old. Rang that bell like a beast! He's adventurous and loving and is the first to cheer on his friends and family and celebrate our wins, too. He's like a strong, sensitive, loyal friend to all of us. We are so lucky.

With Andrew's encouragement/nagging/persistence, he somehow dragged me straight to the Drop Tower ride. As in, a ride that straps you in and takes you more than 300 feet up into the sky and leaves you sitting there for a good 20 seconds before dropping you straight down at a speed that forces you to lose your stomach and maybe even a tinkle or two. Holding his hand the whole time, I may have let a few "holy s*it, holy s*it" go on the way down.! Somehow we made it to the bottom and my body was intact. His next move? High five me and tell me how proud he was and how grateful he was that I took the leap (literally) next to him.

We ended up riding 12 more rides, walking 4 miles, plus, spending $17 on an overpriced set of frozen chicken fingers, and I treated myself to an overpriced seltzer because, well, my nerves needed it and I earned that can! :) We walked toward the front as the park was about to close, wet and dirty and exhausted, but determined to stay for the fireworks. Boy, I'm so glad we did. I caught this moment on camera, one I will never forget. He hugged me big and held my hand all the way to the car, thanking me over and over again for the best night he ever had at King's Island.

The point is, sometimes I get in my own way. I let fear stop me from making the next move or leaning into a moment because of "what if." Maybe it's anxiety, maybe it's the constant worry I have that I will lose my kids at any minute.

Whatever the case, the next time your kiddos cheer you on, encourage you, or ask you for quality time, stop everything. Make it happen. The mess at home can wait. The memory won't.