Happy Birthday Sweet Son

Warning:
I would like to let anyone know that this post and is picture heavy.
A large part of these were before digital cameras and my scanner isn't working
so most of the pictures are taken with my phone of old pictures that
have darkened over the years.                                     

"Ryan"

This is one of the days I've been dreading.

The first of each holiday since you've been gone.

I felt your birthday would be the hardest but as I look back on Halloween, Thanksgiving, 

Star Wars Opening, Christmas and New Years…. I just wasn't sure there could be "harder".
I was wrong.

I miss you so much.

I've been looking through pictures of your birthdays.

….heart breaking and heartwarming at the same time….

The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life

and I thank God everyday for picking me to be your mom.

This was your actual birth day just hours before you were born. 

 

January 29, 1981



One year studio picture.  Adorable!

1st

Your First Birthday theme was Winnie the Pooh.
You didn't want to wait for your first piece.  You tried to dive right in.
This still makes me smile.

Not sure what to do with your presents.

You caught on how to open quickly with all of your cousins there to help you.

2nd

Mickey Mouse was your theme for number 2.  What else when you live in the land of Disney World.

3rd

McDonalds is where we had your third birthday.

This was the first year you picked and apparently you 

choose well.  You really loved it.

4th

Your fourth birthday was a party at our house.

I put you in your sweet vest and bow tie that your Nanny gifted

you, not quite sure if you'd like it but you were so proud of it.

I'm pretty sure it would not be the your first pick in later years  

but I know if I had asked you, you would of definitely worn it.

You look like the sweetest thing. 

5th

Your 5th birthday was Chuck E Cheese.

I think in those days a CEC birthday was a rite of passage.

6th and 7th

Your sixth and seventh birthdays were parties at the house in North Carolina

with your best neighborhood and school buddies.  It included with lots of

running around playing army afterwards.  Your favorite thing to do at that time.

9th

Your favorite things were super heroes,  pizza, cake. 

The park was your choice that year. 

10th

This is the year you had a home party and because it was actually warm enough to swim

afterwards, that's what you choose.   Which is unusual for a January birthday but also 

one of  the benefits of moving back to Florida.

11th

I'm pretty sure as soon as I took this picture I was instantly screaming for you

to take that money out of your mouth.  Yuck!

I love this picture.  Your presents of choice at this particular stage

of  life were comics and money (to buy comics).

You and your best buddies.
(insert smile and tears here)

12th

This was the beginning of a long string of going out for pizza, a movie

then home for cake and a sleepover of game playing.

"I remember trying to keep you and John from eating all the pizza before the

rest of your friends arrived"

This was the party you requested until you were 18.

13th

14th

16th

17th

I love this picture.  First because we cooked out instead of pizza (again) and second,
even though you and your friends (and cousin) would always try to give me the
"we are too cool to smile" look,  at the last minute you gave me a sweet "I love you Mama" smile.


18th

and we are back to the "cool looks, pizza and movie out.

21st

30th

You still like your superhero, star trek and star wars themes.

Your requests for birthdays in your 20's and 30's were usually

just dinner at home with the occasionally lunch out just with mom

and a movie with Mike  This was because of your busy schedule.

You always requested Lasagna, Mountain Dew and homemake Chocolate Cake with

Chocolate Ice Cream.  EVERY YEAR.

Never a menu change.

33rd

  

34th

Your 34th birthday was a quick lunch with Mom.  On a later date, a movie with Mike and Austin.
 One of those years you couldn't get away.  I can't believe this is your
last birthday picture.  It's very precious to me.
We talked about how you'd let me through a big party this year.
Your 35th.

That party will never be here on earth but I hope your are having a big party in heaven.
I can't imagine how wonderful that must be.

This year you and Jesse will be back together again celebrating your birthdays together.



We miss you everyday, every hour, every minute.


Happy Birthday Sweet Son

I love You