Watching your kids grow... #alwaysdad
Ive been away from Preston and Gabby for close to 4 years now and I have discovered that there are many different types of feelings when you miss your own children. There is also different versions of loneliness you go thru as well. I usually spend most of my time with Gabby because her schedule is much more flexible - Preston swim schedule has him swimming almost 365 days a year so time with him is scarce.
Our Duke Women's Basketball Team is preparing for our foreign trip to Italy and Coach P my head coach knew that Preston was swimming on Long Island New York and gave me the time off to watch him...
This has been one of my favorite times with him...
Over the last 3 and half years Preston and I have had very limited time together, just him and I. I knew and felt I missed him but today as I leave to head back home it has only now hit me harder than ever before.
I have noticed how much he has grown up and how much I have missed. I notice his feelings and how he is able to articulate his frustrations and his joys. I have seen first hand how respectful, kind and driven my 16 year old son is. As I pack my clothes I find myself in tears - both sadness and happiness rolled up into one. Extremely sad that im leaving yet full of happiness knowing that Preston is growing up and that wherever his life takes him he will be much more than ok.
This morning he woke up to head to his swim meet, he quietly got ready trying not to wake me... My phone screen is broken and only takes voice commands so he asked Siri to turn off my alarm... he then hugged and kissed me on the cheek telling me he loves me and to make sure I pack everything...
its a scene any parent would love to have in their memory bank...
People ask me to describe Preston... I can only describe him in this way...
When I was a teenager my dad believed in warming up his car for about 10 minutes before driving off to work - He always told me that you want to warm up the engine so that the true strength and beauty of the engine will show...
That is how Preston is...
When I come out and see him for a day because of recruiting he holds back a little - which I understand... but the longer I stay, the longer he opens up and that is when his strength and beauty of his heart and feelings come out... Its one of the best things I can experience being Prestons dad...
Just last week Preston texted me that he just wants me to be proud of him...
I am more than proud - I am honored and lucky to be your dad Preston...
I love you...