Necklaces

“I still remember walking you to your first day of school with a backpack bigger than you. Today you walked across that stage on your own, and you looked like you belonged there.”

“While most people are wrapping presents, you will be taking care of strangers. Somewhere a family will have a better Christmas because you were there.”

“I fell asleep in the chair again on Sunday and woke up under a blanket. You did not mention it at breakfast and you have never mentioned it once.”

“You give every student a clean slate every single morning. It is one of the things I love most about you, and you give it to me too.”

“You never once tried to take a place that was already entirely spoken for. You went and built a new one instead, and you did it without making any fuss.”

“I did not raise you, so I cannot take any credit for who you are. I can only tell you how glad I am that you came into this family.”

“I hope your birthday comes with a day off, a long nap and no alarms. You spend so many days caring for others. Today is all about you.”

“Someday your kitchen will smell like the holidays did when you were small. You will start your own traditions and keep a few of ours, and that makes me smile.”

“Every new home needs a hammer, a level and a few spare batteries. It also needs someone who will drive over to help, and that is me.”

“I put a few tools and a flashlight in your boxes when you were not looking. They are for the small emergencies. For the big ones, you can always call me.”

“We are closing the book on a hard year, and I am glad to see it go. But I would not trade the way we leaned on each other for anything.”

“I missed the first stretch of your life entirely and I cannot get any of it back. I have had a front row seat for every single year since, and it is enough.”

“Every birthday you become more of who you were always meant to be. I have had a front row seat for all of it, and it is the best show I know.”

“You have handed out more gold stars than anyone could ever count. Today is your birthday, so for once the gold star goes to you.”

“I hope your shoes are comfortable and your coffee is still hot. And I hope you know your old dad brags about you to anyone who will listen.”

“If this year taught me anything, it is that we are a good team. When one of us stumbled, the other was always there to help them up.”

“You have always given away your time, your kindness and your last cookie. Today it is someone else's turn to give something back to you.”

“I hope you build a home full of laughter, kindness and late night talks. A home where you both feel safe, seen and completely loved.”

“I hope your new home fills up with friends, good food and lots of laughter. Most of all, I hope it feels like you the moment you walk in.”

“I cannot always be there to give you a hug when you need one. So this is the next best thing. Wear it on the days you miss home.”

“I had a key to your house long before anybody discussed whether that was sensible. It was simply on the hook one day and nobody ever said a word about it afterwards.”

“I have started doing the thing where I check everyone got home before I go to sleep. I used to find it unbearable when you did it. I now understand exactly why.”

“You have always wrapped your presents better than I ever could. This one may have a little too much tape, but it comes with all my love.”

“After a week of long shifts, you deserve a long hot bath and a good book. Leave your phone in the other room. The world can manage without you for an hour.”