How the hell did I get here? Well, I guess if I have to be 40, I may as well make it fabulous ;-). Seriously though, I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone who took time to wish me a happy birthday. I love you all!
Birthdays are a time to think about the past, the present and the future. And with that, I think more about family and friends who were part of my life as I grew from childhood, through my teens and into adulthood; and about the people who I’ve lost through time, distance, or from passing. I think about the people who are in my life now, the people who are important to me each day in their own ways. I also start to think to the future. Who will remain close to me? Who will drift away? Who will become new friends?
I’ve been fortunate to have a lifetime full of people who mean the world to me. Whoever said “siblings and cousins will be your first best friends” probably didn’t even consider how fortunate people like me would be. I’ve got the best cousins anyone could ever ask for – even the ones who aren’t part of my daily life. Add to them amazing aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and grandparents – fortunate is the understatement of the year!
Outside of the family, I can happily say I’ve been just as fortunate. The “crew” may not as big as it once was, but the friends who have stayed in my life these past few years and those who are new friends are some phenomenal people. People I know that at a moments notice, I can depend on them being at my side. The measure of a friend is not how often you see each other, or get together… It’s about how easily things fall back into place the moment we’re together.
And of course, I wouldn’t be here without my parents. Birthdays really have nothing to do with the person celebrating. They had nothing to do with it! The day should be about recognizing the amazing people who are still two of the most important people in my life. Saying I wouldn’t be the man I am now without you; or that I would be lost without you in my life is putting it mildly. I think daily of what you guys would do with nearly every option I face. I still do whatever I can to make you both proud. It’s as important to me now as it was when I was just a little boy.
And if those amazing parents are the reason that I am who I am today, – then Shannon, Abby and Joe are the reasons I continue to try and improve every single day. To be the best husband and father that I can be. There are days that I struggle, but they make me want to be better at everything I do. My day starts with the 3 of them in my thoughts and heart, and my nights end with them too. And pretty much every thought in between. Everything I do is for my beautiful, brilliant, loving wife and our perfect miniature versions of us.
To my wife, our kids, my family and my friends – I love you all with all my heart. Thank you for always being there. In my next 40 years, I will strive to be as important to you, as you all have been to me.