Happy Birthday Kaedo!!!!!

Happy Birthday Kaedo!

How it can be that our baby is 16?

Based on that, I have scoured our hard drive and found 16 pictures that are adorable, embarrassing and every bit as lovely as he is.

Kaeden is a kind, gentle and caring soul, who is loving and generous with his time (but not his money - LOL). He is smart and engaging when he is interested in something and will research obsessively about something that he wants to know more about. While he will never make a decision about what to do, he will happily join in on whatever is going on - usually! He is not interested in doing things he doesn't want to do, and while understands that sometimes you have to, he has learned early that life is too short to do what you hate. A lesson we could all learn from him.

He loves soccer, hanging out with his friends, the movies, school, and after today, longboarding. He is best friends with his brother and of that we are so thrilled. They've always got each others back and stand beside each other as a united front against the world. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone like that in their lives. He is a wonderful son who still loves to hang out with his mom and dad - YAY!

He has the best sense of humor in our family. He is quick, deadly accurate in his observations and witty. He is quick to throw a funny jab and never hurts people's feelings. His favorite word is "phrasing".

He is the most stubborn individual I have ever met, and much too competitive for my liking, but being stubborn and not backing down has stopped him from falling into the traps some of his peers have fallen into. Being stubborn, has pushed him back from a debilitating knee injury and surgery, right on to the soccer field, playing the game he loves. We have to give him mad props for that.

As the quieter of our two sons, he is often in the shadows behind his gregarious brother and not seen for the miraculous, amazing individual he is. He loves with his whole heart and while he may not always speak up, he shows in his actions and kindness how truly amazing he is. My hope is that one day he steps out of the shadows so that everyone can see who we see.

And so today we celebrate Kaeden's 16th birthday with a shopping trip for a longboard, lunch out, dinner at Jack Astors, singing, laughter and the realization that we as a family will move heaven and earth to be with each other on his special day.

On a personal note - Kaedo - I love you more than I could ever express and I am so proud of you and the person you have become. You are a bright light in this world. A shining beacon of goodness. While your presence is often quiet, the dignity in which you live your life is something we can all learn from. Keeping being you, my baby boy as there is no one else like you.  You will change the world. Quietly, effectively and with great impact. I believe in you and have since the moment you were born. 

Happy birthday my love!