Everett

From the moment I first saw you, my son, my world changed. Every beat of my heart began to spell your name. It's funny how life works, how a single moment can rewrite your entire story. I remember writing you letters, each word a fragment of my soul, hoping they'd bridge the distance between us.

Dear son, I still recall that morning, the way the sun seemed to hesitate in the sky as you packed your things into that van. Three days haven't dulled the echo of the engine as it pulled away, taking a piece of me along with you. Michigan, with its lakes and endless skies, felt smaller, emptier without you. I found myself wandering through rooms filled with your laughter, your memories. It's strange how a place can feel so full yet so vacant at the same time.

I often stood by the window, gazing out, wondering if Georgia was treating you kindly. Was the sun warmer there? Did the stars shine just a bit brighter for you? And every time I sent those letters, I whispered to the breeze, "Hey B, if you're listening, tell E I love him."

Months rolled by, each day stretching longer than the last. Your room stood untouched, a sanctuary of your childhood, a testament to the fleeting nature of time. You were growing, evolving into someone I was so proud of, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.

First grade was starting for you, a new chapter in your life. I imagined you, with your backpack and that determined look you always had when facing something new. I urged you to listen to your mom, to embrace the adventure of learning, and I hoped that amidst the numbers and letters, you'd find joy.

As the holidays approached, my heart counted each day, eager for your return. The house, usually so silent, seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the sound of your laughter. "Hey Georgia, shine bright for him," I'd say, a silent plea to the universe.

Then, there was your mother. The complexity of our relationship, the love, the mistakes, were a tapestry too intricate to unravel in a few words. Our story began a decade ago, on a Halloween night that now seems like another lifetime. We were young, full of dreams and naive beliefs. We loved fiercely, yet as time passed, we drifted into different orbits, our love a comet that burned brightly before fading into the night.

Your birth, in July of 2005, was a moment of pure magic. Your mother, with her teary, bright blue eyes, held you, and I knew then that you were the best part of us, a perfect blend of our love and dreams.

Life is a complex melody, son. It's filled with highs and lows, moments of clarity and confusion. But through it all, remember this - you are loved, deeply and unconditionally. Every step you take, every dream you chase, I am there with you, in spirit and in love.

And as I conclude this letter, I can't help but smile, thinking of you singing along to your song, a melody that carries the essence of our journey, the love, the pain, the beauty of being a family. No matter where life takes you, know that you are my greatest joy, my proudest achievement.

With all my love, Dad

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