H, I got to baptize you today.

We met Mrs. Pam at the glass doors by Big Gig and she walked us back to the baptism room.

We split up between boy’s and girl’s dressing rooms and an older couple helped us change into our swimsuits and t-shirts.

(Speaking of that couple that helped us, I had worked with the husband at ARMtech. His name was Sam and he was a compliance attorney, but is now retired.)

Then we met Danny Henderson (Danny Jay’s grandpa) and we all chatted for a few minutes and said a prayer.

I’m not gonna lie, the water in the baptistry was so warm it felt like a day at the spa…

Thankfully I just did the dunking while Brother Danny did all the talking.

I like how he told the story of how simple it was the night you prayed to accept Christ. You got out of bed shortly after tuck-in and got mom and I, simply saying, “I need to talk to you about something.

Honestly, I barely held it together standing in that warm water.

But I saw mama and she was crying like she was harvesting onions.

My goodness, ok, I’m getting all weepy again typing this.

Anyway. 😭

Hannah and Mrs. Leandra were in town to watch you and slept over at our house the night before.

All the Daves came to town too and we went out to eat at Rosa’s afterward with Pop and Gammies.

It was all over in a moment, but it was just the sweetest thing.

I love you forever and I am so proud to be your daddy.

I love you.

-Dad

H, you gave me the best Christmas present this last year, a PopSocket IPhone holder with a Batman logo on it.

It’s one of those things that attaches to your phone case and lets you hold your phone in one hand.

Anyway, people often ask me about it when they see it.

Once a guy on a flight, and wearing a Batman shirt, even stopped me to say he liked it!

My favorite thing was showing the logo to a few of the girls in your class one day while yall were leaving chapel.

I flashed the back of my phone and then whispered:

Want to know a secret? I’m batman.

Everyone giggled, you the most.

This has become such a thing that one of the girls there that day passed me on the way to school a few weeks later and casually said:

Hi, Batman.

😂 It all makes me laugh.

Thank you for the gift and for all the silliness that has come with it.

Some people argue that Batman does not have a superpower.

But you and I know that’s not true…

I love you.

-Dad

H, the most important thing of your life happened last night!

We tucked all you kids in bed and as we were saying goodnight for the last time, you asked to talk to mom and I in the other room.

You warned us by saying that it was “kind of a big deal.”

And when you started talking I had a hunch what it was. 😉

You said you wanted to accept Jesus into your heart!

So we took you into our room and talked about it for 15 minutes or so by walking thru the video there at the bottom.

Mom and I both said a prayer for you and then you prayed and asked Jesus into your heart!

My girl.

You cried happy tears and then we kissed your face while you giggled.

Your heaven birthday:

It’s 29 August 2022.

I am so proud of you.

And honestly, I feel like about 20% of my work here on this earth is done.

See, your sphere of influence on this earth is only so big. And most of it is superficial and shallow (coworkers and aqaintences and strangers).

But there is a chance to go deep in community and friendship with a handful of people.

Nowhere is this easier than your immediate family. There are only a few of us, but the relationships can be deep and profound and beautiful.

If someone you know and love has not accepted Christ yet, simply pray for them and pour into them as you are able.

I’ve been praying for you since you were the littlest of doosies.

I love you.

I love you forever.

I can’t wait to spend forever with you.

-Dad