Sun Source of Paternal Pride

The Birthday Boy and I

Yep, this is one of the two days a year I allow my inner voice full throat as I reveal (as I always keep it so well hidden J) my intense pride in one of my offspring. My Favorite Son celebrates his birthday today and although I’ve tried I don’t think there’s a way I could possibly be more proud of the young man he’s grown into. As he delves further into his thirties he yet remains that inquisitive bright eyed, towheaded youngster who so enriched my life three decades ago.

He'll Always be my Superman

I called him “Big Guy” from his earliest days and it’s a mantle he truly grew into; more in spirit than anything else. He has an immense capacity for love that he tries to hide behind a masculine facade but those who truly know him can sense the depths of feelings he brings to family and friends. It’s only fitting that he shares a birthday with Mick Jagger because he truly is a “rock star”.

Rendering his Hand Salute

When these birthdays roll around so many memories descend. Seeing him under that heating lamp for the very first time at Walter Reed Medical Center thirty one years ago. Seeing him rushing into the room to proudly show the haircut his sister had talked him into and the subsequent buzz cut repairs. Seeing him render a military salute because that’s what happened every time we drove into an Army base together. Seeing the look on his face when he saw Skyla Larma (his first golden retriever) for the first time. Seeing the frustration when confronting middle school algebra, seeing the light go on as the numbers clicked into place and seeing him tackle high level trigonometry flawlessly just a few years later. Seeing him running the anchor leg and leap around a pack of runners at a Virginia high school track meet and fly around the group to stun the crowd. Hearing the catch in his voice when he first called to tell us about meeting this “special girl” on a blind date.

He "Styled" From his Earliest Days

A Bevy of All Time Track Records at my Own Alma Mater

Engineering Grad

That "Moment" He Saw the ABFA at the Back of the Church

I’m so happy he’s found the love of his life in the ABFA who truly understands how lucky she is to have this special man at her side. They make a formidable duo who will make fantastic parents someday. While we don’t get to see them nearly as often as we’d like, knowing they’re together makes that a little easier to tolerate.

So Right for Each Other

So happy birthday Big Guy. Running through that memory bin seemed to have gotten some dust in my eyes which make the keyboard kind of hard to see. Thank you for the being the son any father would pray for. You are and always have been the answer to mine.