Thirty years ago I was eagerly anticipating your overdue birth! Due date—April 10^th, arrival date—May 4^th! All 10 pounds of you (without an epidural I might add)! I was a month shy of turning 29, and I find it a fun fact that you became a father this year just after turning 29!

But now here you are on the brink of a new decade! And it’s the perfect time for me to share some thoughts about you, and all that you mean to me.

Being a firstborn myself, I can appreciate your role in the family order. Just like the character Adam in one of our favorite shows, Parenthood, you carry out the firstborn responsibilities with strength. You are the one your three siblings migrate towards with their big problems and tough decisions. You are always there to listen without judgment, and share your perspective on matters. I’m so grateful for your relationship with Christ, and that you have His wisdom to draw on as you advise those you love (including your mother). Thank you for always being there for our family with an open heart and a listening ear.

Without a doubt my respect and admiration for you has continued to grow, as you have become a husband, and now a father. I love to watch how you honor your wife, caring about her feelings, investing in your relationship, working as a team to provide for your family and raise your son. I remember when you were engaged, and Mary was going through so much pain with her family dynamics. You were hurting so much for her and didn’t know how to make it all better. But you did make it better by continuing to show her your love, and taking her as your bride, and starting a new, fresh life together. And now your little family has grown by one, and precious Parker has filled your life with so much joy! You both are naturals at parenting and it brings me so much happiness to see you enjoying being a dad! It’s so fun to hear you talk about how exceptional your son is. It reminds me of how your dad and I felt when you were little!

I would be remiss to not reminisce just a little about you as a child. As I sat on the edge of my hospital bed on the day they said we could take you home I was suddenly filled with fear. Tears started flowing as I wondered if I had what it would take to be your mom. But thankfully those maternal instincts did kick in (along with a lot of help from your Grandma Schenzel) and we got through those first tough days of no sleep, figuring out nursing and colicky nights! Those first two years just with you were so special! (When I watch you with Parker it takes me back to those years!) But it got even more fun when you became a big brother. Pillow forts, Lego projects and pretend space adventures were all more fun with a brother. I started homeschooling you and it was a breeze. You took to reading like a champ and haven’t stopped! You dabbled in sports, but were more comfortable with a book, and eventually found your place on the theatre stage. When we would take you on mission trips during your childhood, all the high schoolers on the team would comment on your vocabulary. How old is Drew? Why does he speak like an adult at 8? Your dad and I laughed and would say, “Yes, we know, and we go to Drew when we need advice!”

To say you’ve made me proud would be quite the understatement. I tell my friends, “Drew got the best of both his father and mother’s brains—because he’s much smarter than either of us!” It was so wonderful to see you excel at Palm Beach Atlantic during your undergraduate years, including courting the beautiful Mary Beth Shaw! And now your seven years of graduate work will soon culminate with your doctorate. I know it’s been a very long road, but you’ve persevered, and with excellence. (Along with weathering the severe storms life has thrown at our family the past few years.) I will be the proudest mom at Mizzou when they put that doctoral hood on you, representing the years and years of dedication. (Mary will be the proudest wife, no doubt!) But as proud as I will be that you will be Dr. Andrew Darr, I will be even more excited to know how many lives you will impact as a professor. You will not only teach students about writing and Renaissance literature, you will infuse them with your passion, and be an example to them with your life. I trust that God will open the doors where He knows you will be used for His glory.

So let me close by saying thank you. Thank you for making motherhood a joy for thirty years. Thank you for being a wonderful big brother to Spencer, Cameron and Ali. Thank you for being a rock during the turbulent times. Thank you for loving your wife and son so very well. Thank you for showing me that my richest legacy in life will indeed be my children, starting with you.

I love you Drew! Happy 30^th Birthday!