Our last mother-son lunch date

Monday was our last mother-son lunch date, and I didn’t even know it. I mean, I knew the day was coming, but honestly, I thought it would be later in the week.

My last lunch with my son. Our last lunch for two.

For two years, I’ve had the enormous pleasure of having lunch, just the two of us, almost every day. Since Emma went to high school, I’ve been savouring this hour in the middle of the day where I could spend time with my son. Sometimes Pierre would join us at around 12:15 or 12:20.

It was never anything special: sandwiches, leftovers, sometimes (but very rarely) take-out, just for fun.

We talked about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other’s company.

I’d often walk back to school with him at 12:45, just to spend a few more minutes with him. It also helped me get some fresh air and clear my head too.

When Emma told me that the year-end exam period meant the end of her regular school schedule, meaning she’d be home at around 11:30 or noon each day, I was thrilled. I love having Emma home with us. It’s just like the good old days when both my kids were with me for lunch.

But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a bit emotional about it. This realization is one step closer to the changes that are coming this fall. Both my kids will be in high school then, and I’ll be eating lunch by myself. I’m not sad – after all, that’s life! – but I know there will be days where I’ll feel nostalgic.

At first, I felt bad that I hadn’t made our last mother-son lunch date more memorable. But when I think about it, there’s nothing I’d really want to change about that sunny Monday lunchtime. We ate our favourite meal outside: tuna sandwiches, veggies and a few chips (because when you eat outside, it’s a picnic, and there are always chips at a picnic). It happened to be a day when Pierre didn’t come home for lunch, so it was just me and Phil. I had to leave for a meeting at the same time he left to go back to school, and I was teasing him by following him in the car, going 1 km/h. Just a couple of minutes for a giggle. Both of us were laughing. He went off to school, I went to my meeting, and it was just perfect.

The best part is that he was being funny at lunch so I took a photo, just like that, for no special reason. So not only will I always remember our last lunch together, I also have a photo. Even if he’s hiding his face.

Philippe and I have shared more than 300 lunches over the past two years. Philippe, Philou to those who know him well, Philippo for those who know him the very best.

What a great gift these lunches have been. I’ll cherish them for a long time.

But right now, I’m going to go wipe away these tears.

Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

---