January 20, 2023
Dear Kevin,
Your birthday has always been the perfect conclusion to our season of holiday craziness. We’d go from Thanksgiving to Christmas, to Miles’ birthday, your Mom’s birthday, and last but not least yours! From Thanksgiving through January 20th, there was never a shortage of dessert in our house.
But your birthday has always been so very special to me because it was THE DAY the one and only you came into this world. And I could not imagine my life without you. Everything changed the day I met you, and I am forever grateful for you.
I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude as we come upon your first birthday without you here on earth. It seems impossible. How can I be grateful? In an instant, it seemed you were gone and our life was turned upside down.
But I am grateful. Grateful for getting to love you for 27 years. Grateful for getting to see the amazing husband, father, and coach you became. Grateful for knowing the man you became.
I am grateful for getting to learn of the impact you had on others and the tremendous legacy you created. I am grateful for your booming voice, infectious laughter, big smile, crystal blue eyes, broad shoulders, curly reddish brown hair, strong arms, strong work ethic, deep love for family, passion, and witty sense of humor.
It wasn’t enough time for me … but was it ever? I love you so much. When you were alive I wonder if you truly knew how much you were loved. You were the center of our world.
Do you know how much we miss you now? Every day feels like we’re living in an alternate universe. But I want to remember you, all of you, every beautiful thing about you. You were our sun and our moon, our rock, the person we counted on above all others. You should be physically here with us and I will not pretend that any of this is fair or that I’m not angry.
Yet, I know somehow you are here with us, so I am grateful for that too. I will always be grateful for your birth, for your life, for the many gifts you gave me, especially our boys, and for our love. Happy Birthday my love. Until we meet again.
Always and forever,
Becca
