The song by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way…” sums up Bubba’s life! Bubba has never been like his peers. He has been an old, wise soul since he was a baby. Never foolish, always so focused, and independent. I wouldn’t call him antisocial necessarily, but he is so at peace being solitary. I always admire him because he has so many characteristics, I wish I had been given. I would LOVE to take credit as his mom, but he is so unique and honestly reminds me of my dad. He brings wisdom and peace to the rooms he enters. When faced with disappointments he is resilient and never bitter. He led with his quiet strength and gathered friends for life. When any of his friends from childhood need him, he is there. He has always led them to Jesus, as a kid with VBS, to youth group and now as an adult to church. Parenting him was such a joy. Bubba becomes an expert on whatever he focuses on and sounds like an encyclopedia when he discusses a topic he is interested in. Unless you want a serious deep dive into all the things football, don’t ask him a question about a player, a team, or the draft. When he gets going, I am so lost. I am pretty sure he has never forgotten one detail on any player, even the ones before he was born. Don’t EVEN try to play sports trivia with him. You will lose and lose BAD! It’s impressive to say the least.
One funny story was when we were scrambling to get the seven Wogs to church, and I heard Bubba enthusiastically talking in his room. I stomped in there to tell him to hurry up and he shushed me and whispered he was on sports radio. He was like 10-years-old…. He was ranting on who he thought was the best tennis player in the world, and intelligently disagreeing with the sportscaster…WHAT? I went and asked Dan, when did he become a tennis expert?? Who knew?
I shouldn’t have been surprised that he would be unconventional with his marriage. Bubba doesn’t like hoopla and just wanted to begin his life with high school sweetheart, Emily with no big fanfare. On Leap Day, February 29, 2024, just Bubba and Emily went to the clerk of court and quietly got their marriage license. Boom his new life began privately, just the way he wanted it. Thankfully, we did get to have a fun family dinner with his favorite, Taco Lu, so at least I got a new picture with our new addition to the family!
To say I am proud of my son is such an understatement. I am feeling mostly thankful for the choices Bubba made in his life. He was unlike any teenager I have known, and my life’s work has been working with teenagers in some capacity. I admire his inner strength and fortitude. When he believes in something, he is all in. When he was campaigning for a presidential election, he stayed out on the side of the road long after I left. I drove down to where he was after dark to check on him and he wouldn’t come home until the polls closed. I love his patriotism and that he knows more about our country and politics than most adults I know. He gives me hope for our country!
