Eight years ago Jolene and I walked into Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth to have a baby. For the most part we were calm, not rushing or frantic like most parents hurrying to the hospital to have a baby. On that cold February morning we walked into the hospital knowing what to expect; we had gone through the childbirth classes, toured the hospital, talked to the doctors and nurses. We were "ready."

They took us to our room and prepared Jolene for the experience of childbirth. They gave her an IV, some monitoring stuff, and told us that she could have ice chips and water. As they started the pitocin for her induction, we smiled at each other and knew that it was going to be a long day.

We watched TV while we waited...the winter Olympics, Tron (awesome!), and that afternoon the Draft Selection for the Houston Texans. We had friends that dropped by during the day to say hello and encourage Jolene, some stayed for awhile and kept us company. My parents sat in the waiting room and helped with odds and ends that we needed.

Finally, at 5:05 (we were watching Everybody Loves Raymond) the nurse came in to let us know that it was time. We both looked at each other with a mixture of surprise and anticipation. This was it. Here he comes.

They told us that it would probably take several hours of pushing since he was our first. Yeah, that didn't happen. As Jolene pushed, we continued to look at each other and smile. I couldn't believe how beautiful my wife was in that moment. Everything in the world fell away...any stress, anxiety, it was all gone. We were having a baby.

And at 6:01PM on February 18, 2002, Wilson was born. They laid him on a blanket, and when I started to talk to him he stopped crying and looked at me. When they handed Wilson to Jolene, I saw her become something more than just my wife. She was a mom. A beautiful, amazing, wonderful Mom. That moment where we became parents was one that I will never forget.

I am so thankful that everytime February 18th rolls around I remember that moment. I woke up this morning and kissed Jolene goodbye (she was asleep) as I left for work, and I held her extra tight and kissed her a few more times. I don't know if she will ever understand how much she means to me and how blessed I am to be married to such a wonderful woman, and everytime I look at our children I see her. I see a Mom that loves our kids, that takes care of them and nurtures them, and that loves them more than anything.

So...

Happy Birthday Wilson. Thank you for being our son. Thank you for coming into this world and making us your Mom and Dad. We are so proud of the boy that you are and the man that you will become. Be nice to your Mom today. She worked really hard to get you here, and she loves you very much. We both do. Thanks for letting us celebrate your birthday with you. It's just as important to us as it is to you.