Page 223 of June First

I’m definitely still owning my title of World’s Best Piggyback Giver.

When we step through the back door, Theodore and Caroline are sprawled on the couch with the television on. Theodore has Bubbles clutched in his arms, while Caroline is using Aggie as a pillow. I smile. June and I passed our beloved stuffed elephants down to our children when they were born, and the toys are nearly worn raw from all the love they’ve received over the years.

“I’m going to check on the cake. It should be cooled down enough to frost,” June tells me, sliding down my back.

I give her butt a loving smack as she traipses into the kitchen.

Making my way down the hallway to our master bedroom, I pull the index card out of my pocket and crouch down beside the bed. Underneath hides a slew of shoeboxes. All of them are decorated by the kids with colorful construction paper, markers, paint, glitter, and pipe cleaners.

And inside, they hold our moments.

I pluck a few boxes out and sit down, crossed-legged, a wave of nostalgia coasting through me.

June 15, 2024

It’s the last day of our honeymoon in Hawaii. I just realized I didn’t write a single card for the past two weeks because all I’ve done is stare in wonder at my wife.

My. Wife.

I’ll never forget the way she looked when a wave tipped her over, and she stood up on shaky legs, soaking wet, shivering, and laughing like she would never again be happier than she was in that moment.

Challenge accepted.

May 16, 2025

Our son was born today. We named him Theodore Andrew, and Samantha Bailey cried when we told her his name. She sobbed into his little blue swaddle blanket, and June cried, too.

It was only the third time I’ve ever seen Samantha cry.

October 11, 2025

June has decided to retire from dancing to stay home and raise our children. She wants to be a dance teacher, but she said she’ll chase that dream when the time comes.

I’m so fucking proud of her.

February 26, 2026

We’re moving back home.

Pauly offered me the opportunity of a lifetime, and even though it will be sad to leave him and Wendy behind in New York (and Rupert), it’s time to say goodbye to the big city. Theodore and Caroline deserve to grow up with their grandparents nearby. We’ll be flying out to look at properties next week, and we can’t wait to lay new roots.

I think I want to build a tree house.

July 18, 2026

Pauly and I opened up a new restaurant in downtown Chicago. I’m the co-owner.

I own a RESTAURANT.

Holy shit…is this real life?

I just got home from work, and Theodore pulled himself up from the couch cushions and took his first steps.

To me.

My son just walked to me.

And I ran down the hallway of our brand-new house, collapsed onto the bed, and cried.

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