When he is proud that I am around. I dropped into his childcare the other day to watch ten minutes or so of his dance class. He saw me, ran over and said hallo, then immediately went and told the dance teacher that his mum was here. I treasure these moments because I know that one day, most likely, he will be embarrassed to be around me.
If you continue to do things right, he never WILL be embarrassed…and all those wonderfully sweet moments will go on forever. You sound like that kind of mom.