There’s something many people may not know about my dad: when I was just ten months old, he adopted me. He didn’t have to—he chose to. And that choice changed everything. He gave me a home, a future, and a place where I truly belonged. I never once felt like anything less than his son. I never felt unwanted. I felt chosen.
There’s a quote that says, “A father isn’t the one who gives you life; a father is the one who shows you how to live.”
And that was my dad—completely.
He was the hardest working man I’ve ever known. His hands were always busy—providing, fixing, creating—but his heart was always steady and full. He taught me what strength looks like, not through speeches, but through the way he lived every single day. Quietly strong. Steady. Always showing up.
He showed me how to work hard. How to be loyal. How to stand tall even when life feels heavy. And most importantly, he showed me what love is—the kind that is steady, unwavering, and chooses you again and again.
Everything good in me has its fingerprints on it. The way I love, the way I try to be strong, the way I show up for others—I learned that from him. Dad didn’t just raise me—he shaped me. He gave me a life built on love, sacrifice, and strength.
Losing him hurts in a way I can’t fully put into words. I will miss his voice, his laugh, and the way he always seemed to know what to say, even when I didn’t want to hear it. I’ll miss the comfort of knowing he was just a phone call away. His absence leaves a hole that can never be filled.
But I carry him with me. In everything I do. In the way I work. In the way I treat people. In the way I try to be the kind of person he’d be proud of. His legacy lives on in me, in the life he built, and in the love, he gave so freely.
Thank you, Dad, for choosing me. For giving me a life, a home, and a love without limits. I love you more than words can say, and I will miss you for the rest of my life.
A Tribute to Edie
When we talk about family, we often think of shared DNA or family trees. But Edie Farris didn't care much for the strict definitions of biology. She operated on a much higher currency: love.
From the very beginning, Edie made a choice. She looked at my children—her grandkids—and didn’t see a 'step-' or a boundary. She just saw her family. She wrapped her arms around us, pulled us into the fold, and made sure I always knew I belonged.
In a world where blended families can sometimes feel complicated, Edie made it effortless. She never let me feel like an outsider looking in; she made sure I was right there at the center of the warmth she created. I will forever be grateful for the gift of her inclusion, her fierce love, and the beautiful example she set of what it truly means to be a matriarch."
A Tribute to Courtney
Courtney was a gift to this family from the moment she was born. As her niece, she brought a spark and a sense of joy into our lives that simply couldn’t be dimmed. She had a way of looking at the world with wonder and treating everyone she met with genuine kindness. Courtney didn’t just enter a room; she lit it up. To have known her was to know a special kind of laughter and a heart that was always willing to give. Our world is a little quieter without her, but her spirit remains a vibrant part of everything we do
