A letter to Andrew
My son:
Today on your 11th birthday I wanted to share a few thoughts with you on why you are so special and my vision for your future. I can still recall on this day 11 years ago when you were born. It had been a long wait and we were all anxious for your arrival. As mom was making the final pushes, I could see your head emerge and I immediately got the chills. I had known you were coming (of course) but somehow it was in that moment–in that small span of time–that the weight of the moment struck me. Your first cries were like music to my ears. For you see it told me that you were breathing and had healthy lungs (and boy were those lungs healthy! hehe). I was so happy and even happier when they swaddled you up and placed you in my arms.
As soon as I looked down into your eyes, I was overwhelmed with the love that burst from my heart. It was love at first sight. In that moment, you also stopped crying for the first time. You see we were made to be together and the love that binds us is the kind that cannot be broken. It is the love that never stops. No matter what you do, where you go, and what you say, I will always love you. You are loved and lovable. Remember that for that is the greatest gift that I can give.
As you have gotten older, my love has deepened to include your many amazing qualities not the least of those are your sense of humor, your energy and your heart. Your humor is one of your greatest gifts and not because you can make others laugh–but because you are able to laugh so easily yourself. Laughter is a great gift to the universe. Even as a little boy you laughed easily. I can still remember when you were three and I had found a toy that made you laugh. You would laugh so hard that you would literally tip over. And so would I because your laugh was so infectious that I could not help myself. Laughter like yours brings joy to others and will serve you well.
I also love your energy. From the very beginning you would bring boundless energy you would bring to everything that you did–whether it was learning to walk, learning to talk (lots of energy in this area! haha), learning to ride a bike…you attacked it and made it your own. This energy is your fuel and as you learn to harness it you will find that ANYTHING is possible. Yes, my son, nothing is out of your reach if you want it.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, I love your heart. I can remember the look on your face when your brother Aidan (and later Carter) was born. It was the same look of love at first sight that I had on my face when you were born. You couldn’t wait to hold your brother and were so proud to be in his life. It is that same love that you give when you teach your brothers new things, when you comfort them after a fall or when you read them a book before bed. You see it is through your heart–and not your mind–that the leader in you is born.
With all of these gifts, though, also comes responsibility. One of the most important responsibility of someone with all your amazing talents is to use them to serve others. As John Hope Bryant once said, “In a world obsessed with only one question, which is ‘what do I get,’ your question to yourself and to the world today should be, ‘what do I have to give?’ It is through this act of giving of yourself that you will become the man that I already see in you. Those acts of giving will not only enrich those around you, it will enrich your life as well. The path to happiness and joy is paved with acts of service. And it is in those acts of giving to others that your full potential will be realized.
You are a gift and I am so proud that you are my son.
Love, Dad
Congrats!
Thanks for writing this letter.
Wow, that says it all. I totally agree when I look at my two daughters.
What a beautiful tribute!