Alex was twelve years old when he came into our lives from Latvia. I can only imagine how nervous and uncertain he must have been about what his new life would be like. He was leaving behind everything familiar and entering a new country, a new home, and a new family.
But from the very beginning, he amazed me.
Alex never carried around anger or bitterness. He never used his past as an excuse. He simply opened his heart to us and became our son.
And what a son he has been.
I honestly could not have asked for a better child. He has always been kind, thoughtful, hardworking, and willing to give more of himself than anyone could ever expect. He is one of the most giving human beings I have ever known.
Over the years, Alex helped me on the farm more times than I could ever count. He was there when the work was hard, when the weather was bad, and when I probably was not the easiest person to work with.
I know I can be a hard ass sometimes. There were times when I pushed him, corrected him, or expected more from him than he may have thought was fair. But I believe he was always able to see through that tough exterior. Behind every hard word was a father who loved him, believed in him, and wanted him to understand just how strong and capable he truly was.
Alex did more for me than he will ever realize. He did not just help with the cattle, equipment, fences, hay, and all the other work that comes with a farm. He gave me his time. He gave me his loyalty. Most of all, he gave me memories that I will carry for the rest of my life.
It is going to take me a while to feel normal without him beside me on this farm. I do not mean just because of the work. I mean his presence, his smile, and all the laughs we shared.
There was the time those thorn trees we just cut fell out of the tractor bucket and landed on him as he was opening a gate, I know it hurt, but it made a memory. Then there was the time the bull chased him over the gate. Yeah, that hurt too, but it made a memory.
Those were only two moments among the thousands of memories we made together on this farm. Some were funny, some were painful, and some probably did not seem important at the time. But every one of them became part of the story of Alex and me. Those memories will stay with you and me for the rest of our lives, and they will become even more precious as the years go by.
Some of my most special memories are the many days we spent fishing together. It was never just about catching fish. It was about being out there together, talking, laughing, and enjoying the quiet moments that a father and son do not always realize are important until later. Now that Alex is away, it is going to be tough for me to go fishing alone. Truthfully, I may just sell my boat. Without him sitting there beside me, fishing will never feel quite the same.
He was my special sidekick.
I may not always say everything I feel, but I want to say it now.
Thank you, Alex.
Thank you for every long day you worked beside me. Thank you for every time you helped without being asked. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and your generous heart. Thank you for being the kind of son a father could always depend on. Most of all, thank you for allowing me the honor of being your dad.
When we adopted Alex, we thought we were giving a child a family and a new life. What I did not understand at the time was how much he would give us in return. He brought something into our family that can never be replaced. He made our lives better simply by being part of them.
Now, the little twelve-year-old boy who came to us from Latvia has grown into a remarkable young man. He has stepped forward to serve his country and wear the uniform of the United States Air Force.
I could not be prouder.
There will be days ahead when he is tired, homesick, frustrated, or unsure of himself. But I hope he always remembers where he came from, everything he has already overcome, and the kind of man he has become. He is stronger than he knows and capable of far more than he realizes.
No matter where the Air Force takes him, this will always be his home. The farm will always be here, and so will I. There will always be a place for him beside me, although I will probably still find something for him to work on whenever he comes home.
I am going to miss him more than I can put into words. I will miss seeing him around the farm. I will miss working beside him. I will miss knowing that he is close by.
Just knowing he was in that back left room was all I needed. Even if I did not see him for hours, simply knowing he was back there made me feel complete.
As hard as it is to let him go, I know this is his time to build his own life and become everything he was meant to be.
I hope Alex always knows how deeply he is loved. I hope he knows how thankful I am for every year, every day, and every memory we have shared.
And I hope he knows this most of all.
I am proud of him.
More proud than he will ever fully understand.