Happy Birthday, Skyler

Skyler, 

Two years ago today my life changed forever. This is the day that you were born. I remember holding you in my arms and thinking to myself..."is there a more beautiful creature on God's earth?" There wasn't. And I still feel that way today.

You and I have a special relationship. My friends told me that it would be this way. Your Uncle Damon told me that it would be this way. It was hard for me to conceive because you were not here. Once you arrived, it made more sense. One of my friends told me that you will always be the apple of my eyes. That is so true. I have a different relationship with your brothers. I love them as much as I love you...but it's different. Girls are different. A father's love for his daughter is different. A girl's love for her DADDY is different. I am the first man that you'll ever love. There will be men that will come and go throughout your life. But not your DADDY. I'll always be here. There are times when I look at you and just wish that you can remain the smart, adorable little girl that you are right now. But that's not realistic. I will teach you the values and lessons that you will carry with you and pass on to your children. And when somebody asks you to do something that you aren't supposed to do...you'll utter these words..."I can't do that. My DADDY will KILL me!" 

You are a gift from God. And I thank HIM for you. Happy Birthday to my princess. Happy Birthday, Skyler. Daddy loves you!

Love, 

Daddy

from me 2 u

10 years have gone by soooo fast.

I really don't know where the time has gone. I still remember the day like it was yesterday.

August 9, 1999

On that day, YOU made me a father for the first time. The first grandchild born to both sides of our families. I had planned to name you Kyle. It wasn't until you were delivered that I looked at you and said..."Deion." And the name fit. That was my middle name. And I gave it to you and gave you the middle name...Kyle. There was no greater feeling in the world. Still isnt.

I can't tell you how proud I am of you. You've sprouted right before my eyes. These years have passed so quickly. Eight years from now, you'll be moving out for good and headed to college. And that's scary. I love your personality. You are a social butterfly. Everybody loves Deion. You are the life of the party. Everybody wants to be your friend. Be who you are. Don't ever change.

Just like your brother, the doctors said that you'd be here on August 18, 2002. They were wrong.

August 8, 2002

You were the biggest baby that I had seen in my life. A young king who we named Kameron. Most kids who are in the middle suffer from a lack of attention. Not you. You are a special dude. One of the things that stand out about you is your sense of humor. It is something that you have gotten from me. You're witty. You keep me laughing. Remember when you faked my voice when grandma called and she thought she was talking to me? You did that. I remember giving you toys to play with when you were a little boy. I would hand them to you and you'd always use your left hand. Who knew that would lead to you being ambidextrous? That means that you can use both your right and left hands equally as well. You write with your right hand but you throw with your left hand. I'm proud of you and your brothers.

It is my dream that you guys become the young men that me and mommy are raising you to be.

I love you Daddy

432 MONTHS

432 months

13,149 days

315, 579 hrs

454,433,760 seconds

What ever you wanna call it...it all should equal to 36 years. Thirty six years of existence on this Earth for ya boy. And it feels good. Your age is what it is. I'm happy to have seen 36 years and I hope to see a hunnid more years. I feel blessed to be here. Every year I ask for the same thing...a cake and a card. But first...I must give thanks.

Mom and Dad: Thank you for molding me into the man that I am. I couldn't have asked for better parents. Your divorce made me stronger as a person. It warms my heart to see you being friends to each other. Thanks for all the spankings and the lectures...it worked! I can honestly say that you are more not only my parents but my best friends.

Damon and Cara: The best brother and sister that I could ask for. You've always listened to your big brother. I told you both a long time ago to blaze your own trail...and you have. I hope that I set a good example for you.

Eric, Mike, Aja, Tammi, Tara, Marc, Scott, Kori, and Benji: We are cousins only by definition. I say we are brothers and sisters b/c that's how our parents raised us. The bond can never be broken. Let's make sure that our kids grow up and know each other the same way that we did.

Aunts and Uncles: Thank you for the lectures and "heart-to-heart" talks. I love y'all

The Florence Crew: What can I say? We go so far back. So many memories. We'll make some more in a few weeks! LMAO!! Who's got the first round? One love

The SC State Crew: We lived by the creed..."Ballin, babes, and books." And it wasn't always in that order. haaaaa!!! Blood sweat and tears we shed to get the degree...the rings...and in the process, we became men. One love

Lastly...but certainly not least

Mrs12: I dunno how many birthdays that I've had since we've been together. But I'm sure that you'll keep reminding me how old I am. LOL. Thanks for putting up with me 24/7. Love you

Deion, Kameron, and Brandon: You are the best 3 lil boys that any man could have. Daddy loves you and is proud of you.

and finally...

God: Thank you for all of the blessings that you've bestowed upon me. You have truly been good to me. Thank you for allowing me to see this day. I know that you will continue to bless me, keep me, and guide me...each step of this journey. Thank you for everything. Without you there is no me!

Kyle

aka 12kyle
aka KD
aka KDitty
aka KDizzle
aka Quik 1
aka Randy Floss
aka Joe Rockhead
aka Chocolate Boy Wonder
aka Handz McCoy
aka...well...y'all get the picture!

from me to you...

Fellas,

They say that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place.

That's true. But it almost did.

Nine years ago on tomorrow (Aug 9), the first bolt of lightning struck. You came to us. You came earlier than we expected. Actually, the doctor's said that you'd be here on August 18th. I remember when I first saw you. You were long and thin. Just like you are now. Before you were born...we had planned to name you Kyle, Jr or KJ. I wanted to name you after me. Then, I realized that you needed your own identity. It wasn't until I laid eyes on you that I told them that your name would be Deion. Your middle name would be Kyle. So, it worked out b/c my middle name is Deion. But your name fit who you are...and who you will become. I know that I had a life before you came but sometimes those memories become blurry b/c I know about the life that I have now. You made me a father. You are a gift from God. And I love you.

The second bolt of lightning would come a day short of 3 years later (August 8th). You came to us earlier than we expected as well. The doctor's said that you'd be here on August 18th. I had hoped that you'd be here on Deion's birthday. But you came at your pace...like you always do. You have your own identity and your own day. I remember holding you in the delivery room and thinking..."this is the biggest baby that I've ever seen." Mommy couldn't hold you b/c she fell asleep after you were born. I guess she was tired. Nevertheless, you look like her! You even have a round head like her. LOL. But you are who you are. You are Kameron. You made me a father. You are a gift from God. And I love you.

And tomorrow...we will party. We will party as hard as any 9 and 6 year old kid can party. I want you to enjoy yourselves. Let's have some fun. Happy Birthday to the both of you!

Love,
Daddy