Today is my husband’s 47th birthday! We did not plan a party, it has been busy around here with five children (two visiting teens) and poor dad even had to work on his day. Just because we were not able to do anything special, like a party, or invite guests, does not mean that we do not appreciate our daddy though. I am reminded everyday of how lucky we are to have him as ours!

When we first found out that we could not conceive a child, after seven long years of trying, my dear husband was my only support. Jim was the only one to help me navigate the sea of sadness and devastation that I felt. I know he felt deep loss too, but for as quiet and unassuming as he seems, he was my solid strength through one of our most difficult times in life.

Later when we decided to adopt, there was not a ton of family support for it. As much as people will tell you that adoption is seen as “highly positive”, most believe it is, until someone in their own family considers it. People tend to be easily sacred and become critical of things they are unfamiliar with, as was our case. Through it all my dear husband was a rock. No matter what we faced I knew he would somehow help me rally through it.

One of the most wonderful things he did was to not even bat an eye when I was chatting online with an friend who was seeking an adoptive family for an expectant mom, and I signed us up without even asking him first. When I later told him he just nodded and said “ok”, no problem. He was equally on an even keel when he found out from me two days later that the mother had in fact chosen us, and we may have a son in less than 30 days! I think this would freak most husbands out, but not mine.


Jim was also just as impressive with his loving demeanor when he first held our new son, our Kenyan/American son, and his pure joy was so obvious. For some dads it might be asking way to much to expect them to accept a son so beautifully different from themselves. Jim however, takes great pride in little Carson’s birth heritage. He might be quiet, a man of few words, but his actions speak very loudly of his deep love for his children. He is no guardian, no temporary custodian, he has invested everything he is to the core of his being in his children. He is their dad.

So we set fire (and I do mean fire) to a little German chocolate cake tonight and wished our daddy a very happy birthday as he blew out the candles. When the smoke had cleared it was plain as day to me, I am the one who got the gift! What a special gift to share your life with someone as great as my husband. Happy birthday Jimmy! We love you!

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Photo- Copyright Deb Donatti