14 Years of Being a Proud Dad

Fourteen years ago, we had to cancel a Christmas gathering because we were suddenly rather busy. Well, Emily had way more work than I did. Arriving two weeks earlier than his due date, Everett’s birth means Boxing Day is a much more significant event in the Spicer household than simply finding great deals. Boxing Day 2011 gave us a wonderful baby who would go on to become a pretty amazing kid over the next 14 years.

I’m so proud of the young man Everett has become. It’s kind of crazy that I can’t really envision life before him, but also can't fathom that he’s now in high school. As growing up tends to do, he’s become a person with his own passions, dreams, talents, thoughts, and traits.

I love how deeply invested he is in the arts. It’s been a true treasure sharing the stage with him in productions like James and the Giant Peach and The Music Man. He’s written stories over the years and has a vivid imagination. Watching him develop as a cello player and grow increasingly musically inclined has been incredible. He’s also excelled academically, with a far more natural aptitude for math and languages than I ever had.

But more than anything, I’m proud of his heart.

He isn’t nearly as social as his sister Danika, but I’ve seen him repeatedly step outside his comfort zone to make others feel included and cared for. On several occasions, teachers have told me Everett was one of the first students to come alongside a new kid and help them feel welcome. Like any teenager, he has his ups and downs. We’ve had our arguments, and he definitely has his share of rumbles with his sister. But beneath it all, he carries a deep compassion for others.

I’m excited to see what the next year brings. I’m ready to keep being amazed, and to continue learning from my incredible son.

Happy Birthday, Everett. I love you so much.