Happy Birthday, Drake!

Six-years ago, I was sitting in the hospital anxiously awaiting my nephew's arrival.  Tommy and Misty didn't find out the sex of the baby, but we all knew it was a boy.  So there we all were, Misty's family and my family (with the exception of Lauren who was at work-- she came as soon as she could) waiting... and waiting... and waiting...

I was 21-years-old at the time and two months away from college graduation.  Because I had a midterm on Monday, I was studying while everyone else was playing games and having fun.  Maybe I should say attempting to study because I'm not sure if I actually got anything accomplished.

After hours of being at the hospital, Misty finally delivered a smurf.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the boy was blue.  As much as we all tried to be excited when we first saw him, Mom finally said, "Tommy, is he breathing?  Why is he blue?" 

One of my fondest memories from this weekend was the following morning.  My dad took one of Tommy's broken pole vault poles to the hospital with "Drake's First Pole" written on it.  Everyone was excited (especially after he shed the blue color)!

Being the firstborn on both sides of the family, Drake was (and still is) spoiled rotten.  I always knew that my mom (Nana) would be an incredible grandmother,  but I honestly worried a little that Hoss would still put the dog first.  But, I was wrong, Drake was the apple of all of our eyes.

Hoss and Drake always had a good time together.  Hoss would always pace in front of the front door when Tommy, Misty, and Drake (and then Cade and Jett) were coming over.  He LOVED his grandsons!  They swam, fished, and took walks in the woods together.  Hoss used to wake Drake up from his naps just to go on walks.  I'm pretty sure Tommy and Misty were furious with him for doing so, but they allowed it anyways.   They saw movies together, slept in a tent in the backyard one night, and most importantly, had a wonderful grandson-grandad bond.

I can't help but feel jealous today about Drake and Hoss' relationship.  My kids will never know Hoss, they'll never hear his funny stories, and they'll never have pictures with him.  But, I'm also thankful that Drake remembers and misses his Hoss.

Happy Birthday, Drake!  I know Hoss watches over you every day.