The day officially marked Eban's 5th birthday and marked my one-year without a thyroid. Eban asked for one thing for his birthday - - a day with his preschool friend, Dylan, at Santa's Workshop outside of Colorado Springs. That's all he wanted - - no party, no presents, but a full day with his best friend. I loved it. Working with Shelby, Dylan's mom, we had to look into August to finally find a date that would work for our two families.
I was in Florida for a conference the days leading up to the 29th, and I received an email from Billy, our soldier, saying he was back in the states. He was stationed at Fort Carson just south of the Springs. He said he wanted to come up and meet us and Eban. While Jack was there when we wrote the letters, it was mostly Eban who was peppering me with questions like, "Do you have dogs that protect your tents? Do you parachute out of planes? Can I parachute with you?"
Billy said he was free on June 29th in the evening - - the night of United Way's 124th anniversary party that was being held at the Museum of Nature and Science. My CEO said to absolutely extend an invitation to him so I organized a sitter for Jack and told Ryan to meet me at the party with Eban (as I was slying back into town and zooming right over to the museum). I anxiously awaited Billy's arrival as I couldn't believe we were about to meet the young man who we had been writing to over the year.
I get a call saying he's outside so I run out to the parking lot where I see him ambering up in his cowboy boots, huge belt buckle, cowboy hat and tucked in plaid shirt to his jeans. I immeidately hug him and tell him thank you! He's so shy that he's looking down when talking to us when compelled me to get even closer to him (which I'm sure he didn't like).
When Eban saw him, his eyes got huge and he RAN up to him and hugged him like they were old friends. Billy was AWESOME about it. At one point, Billy as
ked Ryan and me if he could give Eban a present. We both said sure without hesitation. Billy kneeled down to Eban's eye level and out of his pocket, he produced a NATO peace keeping medal that he received while he was in Afghanistan. He then altered it so it didn't have the pin on it anymore (so it wouldn't poke Eban), and then he put it on Eban's shirt as a thank you. I told Billy that giving Eban that medal wasn't necessary and Ryan echoed my concerns. Billy was sincere and frank when he replied, "But I want to."
ked Ryan and me if he could give Eban a present. We both said sure without hesitation. Billy kneeled down to Eban's eye level and out of his pocket, he produced a NATO peace keeping medal that he received while he was in Afghanistan. He then altered it so it didn't have the pin on it anymore (so it wouldn't poke Eban), and then he put it on Eban's shirt as a thank you. I told Billy that giving Eban that medal wasn't necessary and Ryan echoed my concerns. Billy was sincere and frank when he replied, "But I want to."Following chatting about his front line duties and his role in the infantry, we decided to leave and head over to dbar for dessert. 
Keegan made the whole restaurant sing for him which left him uncomfortable as to why everyone was looking at him...but we sat at the counter and had the best milkshakes with our soldier. It was awesome. I'm just sad I didn't have my camera to document this meeting, but only my silly cell phone.
Keegan made the whole restaurant sing for him which left him uncomfortable as to why everyone was looking at him...but we sat at the counter and had the best milkshakes with our soldier. It was awesome. I'm just sad I didn't have my camera to document this meeting, but only my silly cell phone.