Week Twelve: The Fateful Moment

I've never loved anyone like this before...
How on earth did my nephew, Joey, turn four today?

I remember the first time I met my little Joe...he was four-weeks-old...My sister was getting married and I flew home to New Mexico from Hawaii. It was love at first sight...that November almost four years ago.

And now somehow my Little Big Man is four-years-old...

Joey...aka Professor Joe...aka My Love...aka Inspector Joe...aka Richard Joseph Kottenstette III...aka Doctor Joe...aka Pops' Best Friend...aka Little Bird...aka Pops' Snoopy...aka JoeJoe Bean: you are amazing! I can't imagine life without you!

You inspire me with your exuberance...Who else could be so moved by Silly Putty that they would sit down at the piano to sing a tribute song to it? Who else would kiss a rolie polie and declare their love for it? Who else would give full and undivided attention to each and every grasshopper that crosses their path? Who else loves "chockit," "pampakes," and "lumn-yade" like you do?

Who else would rename all forms of water: "lum?" Who else would say, "Shh! Be kiet! What's that noise?" every time you hear the slightest breeze? Who else sings Silent Night with such reverence and awe? Who else loves to sing and dance as much as I do? Whose first words included the respectfully hushed: "hot" whenever you saw Pops' coffee cup?

There's only one...YOU, Joey! I love you so very, very much! Happy Birthday, Boy Joe!