Nine years ago today, I got the call.
""They're going to induce,'' my wife said, barely able to get out the words through all her fear and anxiety.
I grabbed my stuff, bolted from my office and drove like a madman down I-95 to get to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. It would be more than a day before Brian Jeffrey Oscar Houck would show his face to the world.
I won't blabber about how our lives changed in that instant, how everything magically pulled into perspective and how I finally felt like life had meaning.
What I will say is how proud I am to be his dad.
I love you, Brian.
If anything can tell you about what kind of kid he is, I'll relay this story from a year ago:
Brian was about to take a dose of nuclear-pink antibiotic fluid. He was fighting a wicked bout of strep throat.
He took the small, see-through cup in his right hand, tossed it back until the pink ooze dribbled into his mouth and then took a huge gulp. He hated taking those. The taste was awful.
Nevertheless, without missing a beat, he wiped his mouth with his forearm like a cowboy in a saloon and said, "Set me up with another one."
Now, here are a few photos of my little cowboy.
Happy birthday, Brain! You are very lucky to have such a loving dad. Don't eat too much cake!
Posted by: Meg at June 23, 2004 03:51 PMDITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mom at June 23, 2004 11:06 PMaww happy birthday to the kidlet. that pic of him in the sombrero is priceless lol.
...and every kid should have a fart machine!
:O)
Posted by: Jen at June 24, 2004 12:27 PMHappy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Brian, Happy Birthday to you...
Sorry we forgot to make the call, but...
YOU DA MAN!!!
Posted by: Drew and Family at June 24, 2004 09:05 PM