For reasons I won't go into here I have spent my entire adult life without a relationship with my father. Since I entered High School my relationship with my father has been non-existent.

When I was a Junior in High School, I saw the most beautiful girl in the world. Stunning she was. Standing, cool as can be, about 50 yards away. Although school had been in session for some months, it was her first day having transferred in from another school. I KNEW - get this straight - I ABSOLUTELY KNEW that she would be my wife. Although I had never given much credence to Love At First Sight, this moment changed all that.

Sorry. I'll try to stick to my original point. My father, for reasons only he will know, walked out on his family a week before I graduated Middle School. Four years later, on the very day I graduated High School, my father decided that Hawaii was more important than attending his youngest sons graduation. Devastated & gutted are hardly strong enough words. But fortune did shine on me this day. At the time, I could hardly conceive that nearly 25 years on I would have the best DAD anyone could ask for. No, my father and I did not have some Hallmark Moment that brought us close together. In fact, I still haven't spoken to or seen my father in years. Although he knows of my cancer he has not called. I Seriously question whether or not he even knows his grandchildrens' names. But on this fateful day in June of 1985 I started a relationship with a man and his beautiful bride who are now my In-Laws. Now, of course, I do believe in Love At First Sight. I went on to marry and have four kids with the beautiful girl I saw all those years ago. But equally important as the relationship I have with my wife is the relationship I have with my Mom & Dad. If I'm honest, they are HER parents. But you'll never hear me introduce them as my 'In-Laws'. They are simply MY Mom & Dad and I could not ask for more. In fact, I honestly think I'm entitled to less. My Mom & Dad have been so incredibly giving to me over the years, I will never be able to find words worthy of their love and support. Having more faith in me than I have in myself, they have accepted me unconditionally. And although at one point I had less, now I definitely have more. This is just a (very) long way of saying 'thank you' and 'I love you' to two of the most special people in my life. Happy Birthday Dad. Thank You! I Love You Both more than I can possibly say.