As the middle of August approaches, my heart begins to sink.

I can’t believe it has been almost three years since we lost you.

I think about our last family vacation together, and how much happiness and joy we all felt to be together. I think about how just the day before we lost you, we spoke on the phone about your favorite beach vacations. I could feel you smiling through the phone.

Dad, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I still have messages from you on my phone, that I sneak a listen to when I need to hear your voice. I miss talking to you, hearing you laugh, and I miss the daily phone calls we would share.

There are so many things I miss about you, but most of all, I miss just having you around. I remember the mornings we would wake up on The Outer Banks when I was a kid and just watch the ocean, calmly moving, while you would drink coffee and we’d enjoy the sunrise. I miss the sage advice you would give, even if you didn’t take it yourself. I miss the bear hugs you would give, to everyone.

I miss having a dad around, a grandfather for my children, and one of the best friends I’ve ever had.

Dad