He Would Have Been 70 Today

Today would have been my dad's 70th birthday. That is sort of amazing especially when you look at the fact that my mom just turned 52. The even crazier part is he has been gone for 16 years. Maybe he wouldn't have made it to 70 had he listened to the doctors but he would have seen a lot more of my accomplishments.

He would have seen me graduate from the 8th grade and enter high school. He would have taught me to drive. He would have seen my first boyfriend and kicked my butt for dating the 2nd boyfriend. He would have seen me graduate from high school, college, and post graduate (since my mom and stepdad made me walk in the ceremony). And maybe he would have met Brett and walked me down the aisle along with my stepdad.

I used to have a hard time on this day. Maybe because we were so close. But now I am okay with it. I think it has to do with the fact that I am happy now and don't need my daddy to turn to and tell me that it is okay. Or the fact that he has never been there for me to turn to because he wasn't there any more.

Happy Birthday, Dad!! I love you!!

Where to Next?

Germany? Italy? Virginia? North Carolina?

Those are our options currently in front of us. It would be awesome to go to Germany. Only problem - definitely no one would visit me. But I would get to travel around Europe. I might even get to go to Ireland which is my dream. I want to see where my mom was born and spent 9 years of her life.

Stay tuned for the final decision!!!