Seven years ago, I was standing outside the OR at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto when a nurse handed me two babies – one wrapped in a blue towel, the other in pink. After a few minutes, I had to sit down – not because they were heavy, but because I couldn’t really do anything else with both my arms occupied.

Life hasn’t been the same since that day. And now my two bundled babies are seven.

Seven has much symbolism for me. In some cultures, seven is a very special birthday marked by milestone celebrations. Coming from a Judeo-Christian tradition, seven is an important number – though we do not really emphasize this birthday in a culturally significant way, except perhaps through Consecration in progressive Judaism.

Yet, I am struck by the significant changes I see this year.

These children are no longer babies grown bigger. They are now teenagers in miniature.

I used to look at their faces and wonder what they would look like, act like and be like when they got older. Now, I know. I don’t mean to suggest that I can predict the future, but I have this sense that so much about their personalities is evident in who they are today. In hindsight, it will all make sense.

This has been a huge year for all of us, but especially Ben and Ella. They moved to a new city, attended a new school, met new friends, learned to read and write in two languages, and learned to skate and play soccer. And they have embraced it all with such enthusiasm. Though, admittedly, they really don’t want to go to skating lessons again next fall.

Looking forward from here, I see only a few more years before the growing pains of adolescence set in. And let’s face it – nobody really loves that period of life. Parents can’t wait to get through it and the kids don’t seem to be having such a great time either.

So, while I feel I am mourning the loss of their babyhood, I am so excited to share these so-called “tween” years with them. Finally, I feel they are old enough to do some of the things I’ve always wanted to do – pursue shared interests or hobbies, travel to some of the wonders of the world, help define what’s important to them.

And, it all starts tomorrow. What a blessing it is to share their young lives with them.