A Special Birthday: Embracing Family Joy

Hey family, this is Michael, back again with a Tuesday message.

After last Tuesday’s message, I found myself reflecting on a moment that felt especially meaningful for us as a family. It happened around my birthday a week and a half ago, a small but powerful experience that reminded me why we celebrate progress, no matter how it shows up.

For a long time, going out as a family felt nearly impossible.

At one point, Christian struggled with elopement, and the thought of taking him to a restaurant made us anxious about meltdowns, wandering, and even whether he’d eat anything at all.

But this time, it was different.

We went together, my wife Eli, Christian, Amanda, my mom, and I, and sat down at the restaurant.

There was no meltdown. No elopement. Just pure happiness, enjoying a simple meal together.

Afterwards, we even managed to take a picture outside in front of a small fruit truck.

Christian didn’t wander.

He didn’t try to run away.

He was able to stand there with us, and I picked Amanda up for the photo.

It wasn’t about the place or the food.

It was about being present in the moment, embracing each other as a family, and realizing how far we’ve come.

It reminded me that progress doesn’t always happen on a predictable timeline.

Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes it’s messy. And sometimes, like this time, it’s a quiet, beautiful gift.

Whatever you see today doesn’t mean it’s permanent.

Some days are good. Some days are hard. And some days are somewhere in between.

What matters is staying consistent, patient, and focused on our children’s well-being, and on celebrating those small wins, just like we talked about last Tuesday.

If you missed last week’s message about milestones, you can read it here, I think it ties in perfectly with what I’m sharing today.

This journey is about loving them exactly as they are, every step of the way.

And when those moments come, the moments when you realize you’re able to sit together, share a meal, and truly enjoy each other’s company, they’re worth celebrating with all your heart.

P.S. If you’ve had a moment like this lately, even if it felt small or unexpected, I’d love to hear about it. We’re all on this journey together, and every story matters.

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No polished scripts, no perfect moments, just real talk, real stories, and the kind of support that feels like a warm hug on a tough day.

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Need a little help planning your journey?

I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel sometimes, especially with so many decisions to make. That’s why I put together a Readiness Checklist, a simple tool to help you figure out where you are in this journey and what steps to consider next.

If it sounds helpful, you can download it here:
[Download the Readiness Checklist]

No pressure. Just something to make things a little easier.

Parent Tip of the Week:

Every family’s journey is different, trust your pace, trust your child’s pace, and know that the love you pour in every day makes all the difference.