I know it’s a cliche, but time really does fly.
Eric doesn’t read my blog, so I figured it would be safe to do an Eric through the years pictorial tribute.
Of course, most of the pictures I have are not digital or easy to get to so I’ve got a limited selection to work with.
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Eric was even rocking it when he was a baby. We never really know what sort of influence we’ll be, or what impressions we’ll leave, as our kids are growing.
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Eric was probably more like 2 and a half in that last shot. I’m glad he grew out of the “looking like a preppy” phase.
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Eric’s very short-lived tenure as a Cub Scout. Activities like that and sports didn’t go over so well with the non-custodial parent.
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It’s funny as I look through these pictures that I begin to realize I did influence the boy in a way. He’s got a bit of my goofy streak.
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Eric in desperate need of a haircut. His hair is so thick, when his summer buzz cuts grew out, it always looked like he was sporting an Afro.
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Fishing with Pop (my Dad) in Virginia.
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Eric and my parents on his 12th birthday.
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Curling with Tim. He was between 12-13 here I think.
Eric (age 14?) visiting with his brother and sister (on his father’s side) at Cherrystone Campground in Virginia, where I dropped him on the way home from my brother’s house.
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This is Eric in uniform during his time at the Freestate Challenge Academy, a National Guard-sponsored youth program that rescued Eric (and the rest of us) from his challenging high school days.
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Here’s Eric looking all “gangsta” with Hubby and I after Amy’s wedding.
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I think my sense of humor definitely wore off on him. He’s a good sport about just about everything.
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Here he is with his new, pink pouf at around 19. He needed a pouf and it was the only one we could find at Walmart.
This shot is relatively recent. I lifted it from his (or his girlfriend’s) Facebook page.
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Speaking of girlfriend… here Eric is with Kelsey. This one is only about two months old. Ah, to be young and in love. They look so happy together. And she’s a real sweetheart, too.
Happy birthday, son!
Raising you wasn’t always easy (every kid presents a challenge), but I’m proud of the wonderful young man you have become. I love you!