7 months

Dear Dad,

Wow. What a difference a year has made.

A year from today we didn't even know you were sick.

You had just gotten home from vacationing in San Diego and injured your elbow while boogie boarding.

Little did we know there was a whole mess of issues hidden inside that elbow that the doctors had yet to uncover.
The family, especially you, was constantly worrying about grandpa and his increasing health issues.
Little did we know there was someone else who had much bigger problems. You.

I remember you being so excited that football was starting.
You knew it was going to be a great season for your team.
Little did we know you'd only get to coach the first few games.
As much as you loved football, you loved something else even more: your family.
You couldn't wait to get home after long days of teaching and coaching to hang out with your boys.
You wanted to hear all about what Max had learned in school that day.
He was a big bad first grader, after all.
And that little one-year-old stinker of yours (Mace)? 
I'm sure you couldn't wait to come home and hear what trouble he'd managed to get into.
Lucky for you, he loved his "dada" and was always on his best behavior when you were around.
Even though Makenzie was in Iowa going to school and playing soccer, you were constantly checking in.
You were so proud of your soccer superstar and couldn't wait to go surprise her at one of her games later in the season.
Little did we know you'd be going through radiation and chemo instead.
As for me? 
You were always making sure I was getting after it in school.
You couldn't wait to see me graduate.
Little did we know you'd be gone before it would ever happen.
Let's not forget your beautiful wife.
After 10 years together you were still more in love than ever. 
You much preferred staying at home with her in your free time than going out and socializing.
You were a family man through and through.

I'm sorry the beginning of this letter to you was a little bitter.
I know you'd want me to stay positive and be strong.
And I promise you that I'm trying my best everyday.
I also want you to know that as hard as it is without you here, we're going to be okay.
Here's a little update on everyone:

A recent photo of us.

Mace:

He's still a little troublemaker, he definitely gets that from you.
You wouldn't believe how much he's talking. The kid repeats everything.
He very much remembers and misses his "dada."
Every time he sees a photo of you, he points and smiles and yells "DADA! DADA!"
Last week I asked him what he remembers about you and this is what he said:
"Dada...sit...chair...ouch...hold."
Translation: He remembers when you were sick and how you'd sit in the chair and hold him.
I think it's pretty special that after 7 months he still remembers that. 
Especially since he was only 17 months old when you died.
He still never sits still for more than 5 seconds.
He wants to be just like his big brother.

Maximus:

He is such a little stud.
He's the opposite of Mace in the sense that he hates getting in trouble.
He has the world's biggest heart.
September 1 will be his first tackle football game.
Can you believe it? 
It's his first year of football and he just went ahead and skipped that whole flag thing.
He said he wanted to play tackle like his dad.
He's in the second grade and is doing awesome so far!
Oh, and he's still beyond obsessed with legos.

Makenzie:

She just got back from the trip of a lifetime.
She spent the past 6 weeks being a nanny in New Jersey and exploring the east coast in her spare time.
She is officially an ASU Sun Devil! (woohoo!)
She is still stunningly beautiful.
Her boyfriend Luke just moved down here from Chicago.
You'll be happy to know he treats her like a queen.

Me:

Starting this week, I'm officially in my last year of college!
I'm in love :)
And yes, it's with the guy you met at Thanksgiving. (Colton.)
The one you said I had the "googly eyes" for.
I'm sad you only got to meet him once, but so thankful he was able to meet you.
He's amazing, I know you'd love him.
Melissa and the boys do.
I actually prefer that he doesn't come with me when I go to visit Mace because when he does Mace wants nothing to do with me and everything to do with him.
Oh, and I started this blog.
Except for you already knew that since you obviously read it everyday up in Heaven. Duh.

Melissa: 

She's the strongest person I know.
She's continued to be the best mom in the entire world.
She still (and always will) considers Makenzie and I to be her daughters, and treats us as such.
She's constantly putting others before herself.
She's always checking in on grandma to see how she's doing with everything.
She's quite simply been amazing.

And there you have it. A little recap of what we've been up to these past 7 months. We all still cry when we think of you. But you know what? We also sometimes laugh and smile. 
Just know that we're doing okay and continuing to "Get After It!" each and everyday.
I miss you, I love you. Always.


Cool dude, 
Peace dude,
Word to yo mother,
Catch ya on the flipside!