Happy Birthday to My Two Wonderful Stepsons

Andy and Clint

When I met your father, one of the first things he said was,

 “I have four wonderful sons and I love them very much.”

Men on the prowl might keep that fact hidden, so as not to scare off any potential ‘temporary’ lady birds. So, I’d already learned two things about him just by that one statement: his children came first and he was looking for a serious relationship.

And I thought to myself, Now here’s man I’d like to get to know.

We spent only one week together in Greece and we were already halfway in love. Now came the tough part - meeting the offspring. He was nervous about meeting mine and I was nervous about meeting his.

But it didn’t take long for me to figure out your dad was right. You and your brothers were indeed absolutely wonderful. And since today is your birthday I’d like to tell you both 

The Top Things (at the least) I Like About You: 

ANDY

You hadn’t even met me yet and you sent me an email. (I still have it, you know.) It was in response to my email to you. I’d found your email address on my computer because when your dad came to visit me in Greece, he’d written to you. I wanted to surprise him with a Christmas gift and since I hadn’t known him long, I’d no idea what I should get. I wrote to ask your opinion, but I wasn’t sure if you’d answer it. After all, you didn’t know me. But not only did you write me a carefully thought-out letter, you apologised because you thought you hadn’t answered quickly enough.

That wouldn’t be the last time you showed your caring nature. You gave up your seat on the leather couch at dad’s house the first time we all stayed there together, because you thought I wasn’t comfortable where I was sitting. It was only me, you and Tim in the room watching television, so you didn’t do it to impress your dad. Then there was that first Christmas we spent together. We were decorating the Christmas tree and you were the only one in the room who noticed how much I wanted to have my favourite Santa at the top of the tree. You put it up there for me and then said, “That’s the nicest Santa I’ve ever seen.”

What’s fun about you is that out of all your blood brothers, you’re the one who reminds me most of me and Nick. It’s your emotional outbursts. Are you sure you’re not Italian?

But, it’s the long talks on the phone we’ve had, when I really see what you’re made of.  You’re smart, you’re a deep thinker, you’re loyal to everyone you care about and you’re not looking for any free rides. You’ve always been willing to do more than your share of work and you respect people who do the same.

CLINT

That last paragraph applies to you, too. Do you know when I was most proud to know you? It was when I saw the way you handled that work dilemma you faced in Southern California. You had a position you’d wanted badly and had worked very hard to get. But in order to keep it, you later discovered you’d have to do something nasty that would betray all the men who worked for you. You could have found a million excuses to do it and thus keep your job. You didn’t do it. You quit instead.

And then, there’s the way you act towards women. Over and over again, I’ve seen you treat your mother, me, your girlfriends, or your friends who are girls, all the same - with respect. (You get that from your dad, in my opinion.) The gal who gets you for life will be a lucky, lucky gal.

You also have a remarkable charm for such a young age, Clint, that’s dynamite.  No matter who’s speaking to you, whether it’s my old, deaf uncle with the thick Sicilian accent, or the prettiest girl in the room, you focus on that person, listen to what they’re saying and make them feel as though they’re the most important person to you at that moment.

This rest goes for both of you:

How is it possible that two such extraordinarily, identically handsome young men, (identical with the exception of that one little mole on Andy’s lower cheek) are not the least bit vain? Not even a bit? I don’t think I’ve ever met two less self-absorbed people in my life.

Then there’s the sense of humour. I love to see you both, because I just love to see you, but I also know you’re going to make me laugh.

Thank you for making it so easy for me and Nick to become part of your family. Thank you for making it so easy for me to love you.

And I do.

Happy Twenty-sixth  Birthday, Clint. 

 Happy Twenty-sixth Birthday, Andy.

I wish you all the happiness in the world and that every one of your dreams comes true.
 You deserve it.