…look I baked a pie.
So now you’re 24…
I still see my little boy.

Always a big smile…and you were such a great sleeper. (not sarcasm)
I still see the boy who was fearless.
At four years old when you didn’t meet the height requirement for Space Mountain, you tried to talk your way onto the ride with your roller coaster resume. “…but mister I have been on the Comet at Hershey Park, the Grizzly at Kings Dominion and the Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens…please, I am tall enough…please, let me ride.” Those Disney attendants are sticklers for the rules.

The only photo of you on a roller coaster. You and your brother…hands in the air…me…holding on for dear life, but my teeth look nice and white.
I still see the boy who carried and swung the clubs, but was way more interested in driving the cart.

No you never drove the cart, but you certainly wanted to try. …………… “If my feet reach the pedals, why can’t I drive?”
I still see the boy who believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy…even though that pesky tooth fairy forgot to take the tooth from under your pillow and somehow left the dollar bill in my wallet a few times …That was so strange!

Your musical career was 4 short years, but when you practiced at home it seemed more like a decade.
I still see the boy who never took no for an answer. At 16, you wanted me to use my credit card to purchase something on the internet. You said, holding the cash in your hand, ” Mom…I have the money right here…all you have to do is let me use your credit card number to buy this ___________ . It will be fine.” I stood my ground and said, “NO!”
You got your bike and helmet out of the shed and said your were going for a ride. Two hours later you returned.
“Mom, I opened a student banking account at Bank of ____________. I will have my debit card in 7 to 10 business days.”
While I was not thrilled with this little venture into the world of quasi-credit I knew you were going to be okay.
Nothing could hold you back.

Not even the stocks…for the record this is Disney…our stocks had smaller holes…just kidding.
I see the man who has made his way in the world and will continue to do so.

iPhone photo…always adds 15 pounds and years on me…for some reason it doesn’t do this to anyone else.
Happy 24th!
Love, Mom
Oh and your father says Happy Birthday too!
I love every one of these photos. Blue and yellow are so pretty together. I’ll take 2 of those green beers, please. PS… Everybody’s Irish on St. Paddy’s Day!!
Oh I had no trouble fitting in on St. Patrick’s Day…even without the green beer.