Happy Birthday Daddy

There is no other way to put it, the last 4.5 months have been hard on my family. Loosing my dad has turned all of our lives upside down and it has been nearly impossible to get used to. I long for the days back last October when I was stressing about things that looking back on, weren't really worth stressing about. 

This weekend has been especially tough since my dad's birthday is today. My dad loved to celebrate his birthday and we did every single year. He always had an idea of what he wanted to do and we just followed suit. But it was always something we all did together as a family, even if it was just seeing the newest Fast and Furious movie together, that's what we did. 

This year, is obviously very different. My dad died while waiting for a liver transplant that never came. I found out that ironically, April, the month my dad was born in, is Donate Life Month. To learn more about Donate Life, check it out here. In our area, two days before my dad's birthday, they were hosting a 5k so obviously it was clear on how we would celebrate my dad's birthday as a family.

We got there early to get our badges and check out all the booths. We knew it was going to be emotional, and so we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time.

One of the first booths we came across was the Be a Hero, Become a Donor Table. We met Evan's mom who told us Evan's story of needing a bone marrow transplant. It took all of two minutes of hearing her story and we were all filling out the paperwork. Bone marrow donation has gotten a bad wrap from the past experiences but with new medicine, that has all changed. Anyways, at the end of the day, you are saving someone's life. Please check out this page and consider becoming a hero, a donor.

After we did that, we met up with the rest of the team and took some family pictures. My mom has been so strong throughout all of this. She is one of the strongest people I know. My dad is very proud of her, as am I.

Drew's awesome cousins are incredibly supportive. They are training for a 1/2 marathon for NEXT WEEK! When we mentioned this 5k to them, without any hesitation, they were more than happy to come out and help us support this great cause and celebrate my dad's birthday. We are so lucky to have them as family members and friends. We totally ate their dust in the 5k but we are so glad they were there encouraging us to keep going.

We took a few more pictures while waiting at the starting line and then boom! It was time to go!! 

It was hard, I haven't been training like I should have been. But when I thought I couldn't finish it, I would look up and see someone wearing a shirt with their loved-one on it. I thought of my dad, and how proud of me he would be if I finished. It kept me going and at the very end, I had a cheer squad waiting for me, screaming my name...telling me that I did it. I get emotional just thinking of it.

 It was my first 5k and I'm totally addicted. It was for such an amazing cause and I am going to run again next year and every year after for the rest of my life. It is always the last weekend of April so friends and family, mark off your calendar. I want one hell-of-a-team for next year representing my daddy! 

In honor of my dad's birthday and it being Donate Life month, please use and share this coupon code for 15% off your entire purchase from April 30- May 4 in our shop: DONATELIFE

Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you so much and I work everyday to make you proud of me.