Tuesday morning I woke up and wasn’t sure how to navigate your birthday. I went to work. I did the things. I stressed wanting to stay calm and collected but also find a way to celebrate you.
If you were here, I would have today off. We would have a lazy morning with Roan. We would go paddle boarding or fishing. We would have lunch with your mom at Red Lobster. We would have your birthday dinner at Giovanni’s or Olive Garden. I’m sad to tell you Giovanni’s (our favorite date spot here) has closed forever. Anyone who knew you knows how much you loved your food.
I didn’t have time for fishing. I didn’t have time for paddle boarding but when work ended I made sure to take you to get your birthday memory meals. I stopped at Red Lobster and ordered you coconut shrimp and garlic shrimp scampi. Of course there’s cheddar bay biscuits 😊 I toasted you with a glass of wine while I waited, sat and remembered when we paddle boarded past here wishing we owned a house right on the water.
Next stop, Olive Garden…
With a pandemic, I had to grab an appetizer while I waited. So cheers to another glass of wine and calamari. Order up! A giant chicken parm, salad and breadsticks (obviously 💁🏼♂️).
I stopped at the store to grab a bottle of wine and some key lime cheesecake. Key west was where we celebrated your first birthday together 🎂🌴
I headed home to take Roan out and set out our dinner. We always used the coffee table and Roan would eat with us. I even set up the diffuser with eucalyptus and lavender. Your favorites. You would have loved it all.
I’m going to be honest, I couldn’t eat very much but at least I have leftovers for a few days. That’s just my new bachelor norm now I guess.
As I lay here and write this post, the Wednesday fireworks are going off and I’m letting myself get lost in The Neverending Story. As tough as life has gotten, somewhere deep inside I still have faith in magic and the possibilities of a fairytale ending.
Some may ask why I would go to such lengths to celebrate your birthday. It’s pretty simple. I don’t ever want you to be forgotten. I don’t ever want you to be lost. I want you to always know you are remembered, loved and that your life made a difference to so many especially to me.
I miss you so very much Tin. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.
I love you ❤️
