My first birthday without him

My first birthday without hearing his voice. If you know me you know I’m sentimental. I cherish traditions. I cling to familiarity. My Dad loved singing me happy birthday. If you swipe you can hear the last birthday message I have from him. It was 2018 and I was hit with the stomach flu while pregnant with my daughter. I hadn’t announced my pregnancy yet but he knew. And I had told him the previous year how he was always the first one to wish me a happy birthday and how I loved that he sang to me. I think that made him feel special hearing me say that. So when he heard I was sick he wasn’t sure he wanted to call and bug me. I told him he had to and he had to sing to me!!! I’m so happy I didn’t answer the phone. I’m so happy I have this message. Doesn’t he have the sweetest voice? I called him my big lug, which I think I started in high school. Because he could so easily be grumpy but also was like a big teddy bear or apparently a big lug like I deemed him to be. And this message just shows it. How I wish I could have heard his voice yesterday. But I sure played this message several times closing my eyes pretending he was right next to me. I miss his big hugs and kisses and how he made me feel so special always. Im so thankful for the memories. I miss you Dad.