Three

Happy Birthday Liam

Liam,

They say you don’t know you’re in the best years of your life until they’ve already passed. This notion has always struck me as unfair, as it suggests that we can only recognize joy retroactively.

If this year of your life has taught me anything, it’s to be present with joy. Looking up alongside you when you point out the bird in the tree, lying awake with you at 1 am to talk about caterpillars. Whenever my mind tried to wander, you snapped me back to the present moment. Joy radiated out of these moments with such force that I can’t imagine looking back on this year and not thinking it was the best year of my life.

As it turns out, when you live in the present like a two-year-old does, you find a lot to be grateful for. It was the year of beach visits, trains, mischief, singing in the car, and blooming friendships that made my heart burst. There were so many times when I would stop to look around to soak everything in and fully appreciate the moment. The world of community and adventure we’ve built is entirely due to you and your eagerness to experience life.

We just arrived back home after celebrating your birthday in Austin. After taking you to the bathroom, I realized that the flight attendants had started their service and we would be stuck for a while before we could get back to our seats. A fellow trapped passenger smiled at you and made you a balloon out of a latex glove. We chatted and laughed as you waved the balloon around and pushed in the inflated fingers. A beautiful moment born from a complete stranger’s recognition of your ability to appreciate joy.

I’m so grateful to be experiencing this life with you.

Happy third birthday beautiful boy.