08/27/2026
Dear Michael,
Today is your 18th birthday. How is it possible that today you should become an adult, when you are frozen in time at just 6 years old? Each day holds the pain of missing you, but today feels impossible to bear.
You should have started your senior year of high school at Churchill this week. You would be preparing college applications. Would you have committed earlier to play sports in college? Who knows what was possible? Given how incredible you were even at 6 years old, I feel like ANYTHING was possible for you.
We feel extra heartache this school year with your little sister Lila entering freshman year. She should be riding to school with you, knowing the older kids who are your friends, and having you there to guide and protect her. I know she will do great as she navigates Churchill, but it crushes me that you are not here by her side. You were always so devoted to Lila, and there is no denying the huge loss of your presence in the special role that only you hold: big brother.
Michael, we have endless gratitude for the day you came into our lives and made us parents! At age six, you were already beyond our wildest dreams. Your intellect, humor, kindness, athleticism, and determination were remarkable. I know we are biased, but even others so often commented that you really were a unique and special little boy.
However, even as we celebrate the talented little guy that you were, we are heartbroken to miss out on all you would be at 18 years old. We will never know how you would have changed in the more than 11 years since we have been together. The loss of this time with you – of knowing you now – is haunting and irreparable.
My heart has been building up the armor to get through this day (and this week) for a while. I know there is no real defense against the agony of missing you get older, but somehow we have to keep surviving. Every moment would be so much better if you were here. We will grieve for you for the rest of our lives. We will also be forever thankful for our firstborn, our baby boy who opened our eyes to the depth of love that is possible. You are loved and remembered, today and always.
đź’› Love,
Mommy, Daddy & Lila
