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Last year, we decided Bee needed to learn how to swim. So I found one of those in-home swimming instructors and signed him up for lessons. It was okay - Bee usually loves water, but was very hesitant to get in with the instructor. He sometimes has trouble with new people, though. We were diligent about practicing in between appointments - blowing bubbles in the bathtub, dunking him under water in the pool, etc. He enjoyed himself, but really made no progress all summer. I was kind of disappointed - I really wanted him to have something that he liked doing, because his days were already filled with things he had to do. The summer ended; the weather got colder; we figured we'd try it again next year.

Fast forward: next year becomes this year. My parents had sold their house (sob), so we needed to find a place that offered swim lessons. I kept hearing how good Debbie Meyer's program was, so we called for some info and went down to sign up. You prepay for 12 15-minute sessions. 15 minutes? That's it? Seems short to me. I was assured that he would learn a lot and so we went ahead. We chose Isaac as our instructor - apparently, he's great with kids with special needs. Then we waited two weeks for the lessons to start.

Big Man decided this was going to be his thing with Bee. We started prepping Bee for the lessons about a week before, but really - he needed no prepping. Once he heard the word "swimming", he was all over it. He practically flew out the door to go to his lesson. I was filled with typical mom-dread: would he enjoy it, would he throw a tantrum at the pool, how many times would he want to flush the toilets. Okay - maybe those aren't all typical, but they're typical for me.    :)

They were back less than an hour later. Bee was beaming, so was Big Man. "He did great", Big Man said. Bee went on and on about swimming with Isaac. It's still a popular refrain in our household. I was thrilled.

So on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Bee and his dad load up in the car and head out for lessons. I get reports on how he's doing: Bee's huge smile going and coming back speaks for itself; Big Man fills in the details. Isaac is apparently thrilled with Bee's progress. He asked Big Man if we had been swimming with Bee in between lessons (we haven't). He said Bee is doing great.

I needed to see for myself.

Lee, Bee and I loaded up in the car and met Big Man at the swim school. Then I realized I forgot the swim bag at home. Luckily, Bee already had his trunks on, but I had to high-tail it back home to get his towel. So I did, and made it just in time to see the last 5 minutes.

I cannot accurately describe to you what I saw, because my eyes filled with tears the minute I saw this beautiful child swimming half the length of the pool by himself, then looking up and giving me the biggest smile I have ever seen. He holds his breath under water. He swims under water! He dives for toys - you guessed it - under water! Folks, this was his 10th lesson. Two hours of swimming under his belt this year.

When we signed him up for swimming last year, this is what I hoped for at some point. I don't know that I actually expected it. I just wanted something for Bee to truly look forward to; something that was his and his alone. I'm glad I got what I wanted; I'm ecstatic for Bee.

I'm still tearing up. I know I'm a sap, but oh - if you could have seen him.

So now I know two things:

1. I can't wait to sign Lee up for lessons.
2. We are soooo getting a pool.

:)