Happy Birthday, Henry

Henry Andrew MaddoxA year ago today, Kari and I welcomed Henry Andrew Maddox to the world.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

It’s hard for me to believe that our little boy is turning one today. Those five hundred thousand plus minutes have gone by so quickly.

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?

I can’t begin to count the late nights, the early mornings, and the need for more cups of coffee. But those aren’t the things I’ll remember the most. I’ll remember the curiosity, the babbles, the tenacity. I’ll remember him fearlessly crawling through the grass, pushing his sisters for a place next to the TV, and making sure that he wasn’t neglected at the dinner table.

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love.

Are babies’ first years hard? Absolutely. But I won’t remember those parts. I’ll remember holding him late at night after he fell fast asleep on my shoulder. I’ll remember loving him and watching him grow up.

It’s time now, to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let’s celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends

So today we celebrate young Henry and his remarkable first trip around the sun. Cheers, Henry; here’s to a great first year and many more just like it.