April 6, 2025: The Rockin' Birthdays

We once took the family to the Hard Rock Cafe.

To celebrate Luke’s birthday in Myrtle Beach, he picked the giant, globe-shaped restaurant. When our server found out we were there for his special event, she told Luke he could choose any song to blast over the speakers.

After thinking, he made an inspired decision. Actually, he selected what I consider the best '80s anthem. Hint: it’s by Bryan Adams. The tune? Summer of ’69.

Yes, a proud Dad moment.

I can remember how Luke's face lit up when those first guitar riffs kicked in. The emcee even gave him a shout-out. And the whole place turned into his personal concert venue as we ate burgers and played air-guitars.

Fast forward to today. We weren’t at the glitzy Hard Rock, but at the serene New Kent Winery. For a few hours, we met up with McKenzie and Will, sitting on a patio and listening to a musician strum '80s and '90s covers.

We split a plate of crackers and pimento cheese. And oh yeah, celebrated my birthday — just a few days late. A world away from that loud Myrtle Beach party. Years between. But the heart of it stayed the same.

Still with family. Still rocking.