The Boys are Playing, For Now...

I'm sitting here, just having eaten lunch. My two sons, ages 13 and 10, couldn't wait to go outside and play. The reason they are so excited is because it is 50 degrees out. For all of us in Minnesota, that is a big deal! It's been a very cold, very long winter. Sometimes I think I suffer from that SAD- Seasonal Anxiety Disorder. The last couple of weeks I have found myself feeling glum for no apparent reason.
Anyways, back to the kids. Yesterday we were sitting around at a friend of mine's when I just happened to look at my oldest son, Z's, face. I was drawn to his chin, where I happened to spot three long hairs coming out. I couldn't believe it- chin hairs! He's not yet 14! Isn't that too early, I panicked. He already has a thin mustache. We've just had him keep it because we think he's too young to deal with shaving, but chin hairs? Last night, we got the razor out and trimmed them away, but I know they'll be back.
For most of my children's lives, it's just been the four of us. I have devoted myself to raising them and teaching them, since I homeschool them too. I have always homeschooled them, I just wanted them to learn the things that I valued important in a safe and loving environment. We've been together constantly, but I always found activities, play groups, scouts, etc... for them to belong to, to have that "socialization" time.
Now, as they get bigger and look older, I see them becoming more independent. They want to go to different friends' houses, parties, etc... I can drop them off now and pick them up 2 hours later, I can go out shopping with my husband while they stay home and play. The house doesn't burn down, they are fine. They might call and check in, but more than likely it's us calling to check in with them. We never had babysitters so we never got to go out as a couple. Now we can and I actually like it. I thought at one time that maybe we'd have nothing to say to each other, but we seem closer than ever because we are becoming a couple all over again.
Still, I feel this ache in my heart, like this time will draw to an end before I know it, that everything will change again. Soon, they'll be driving, dating, college, excursions without us. I know it's all for the good, that they're becoming great people, that our relationships are solid, that I'll be able to let go when I have to. But I don't want to....
So, I'll cherish the fact that they are outside playing in the warm weather like the kids that they are, for now anyways...