What a Heart Looks Like on the Outside (Part I: Gunner Harrison)

Bunny-

Hey, buddy.  It melts my heart each and every time you run up calling my name just to give me a hug or kiss and I have nor will ever take it for granted.  An unexplained sense of awe washes over me when you look up into my eyes with your curious sapphires and tell me that I'm the strongest, bravest, and best at whatever the subject matter.  When I first met you I was so very nervous, I'll admit.  Our first night together went surprisingly smooth, for us at least, you even told me to make sure I cuddled with you after I read you your nighttime story.

I love our nights with Emery when I get to be Bane or Killer Croc.  Emery is always Batman because he is bigger and older and you are Robin because you are smaller and you "like to be."  Usually, we move the couch around and dim the lights on Fridays and the three of us watch some sort of crazy guy movie, eating pizza in the living room like we're not supposed to.  But, hey, as you and your brother always say,"we're just dudes being dudes on dude nights."

I hope that you never feel that I love you any less because we do not share the same blood, but here's a little secret. . .no amount of blood will ever replace a heart.  After all, you have mine wrapped in your little superhero, adventurer, pirate, ninja hands.  My luck is astounding to have been blessed with such beautiful, strong and smart, wonderful little boys to look up to me.  To squeeze me.  To yell for me to come make sure the monsters are out of their closet.

My favorite things about you start with your curiosity, a thirst for knowledge so unquenchable that I often find myself thinking and researching so much with you.  I love your compassion for your family, how thoughtful you are to Mommy, Emery, Elsa and I. You were the first person to pick out something for your baby sister.  She is going to have the best big brothers in the world, I know it.

I cherish so much more like how you take things so literal ("Why are you cooking my baby sister in your belly, Mom?!?!") and your incredible ingenuity (the muscle suit under your shirt to impress the girls at school is still the best idea I've ever heard) and the limitlessness of your creative mind.  You amaze me everyday.  The joy you bring my life I can never repay you for, but I will never forget or neglect. Every night that you are with me I remind you how smart, handsome, brave, and important you are.  And I always will.  I love you.

 Yours Forever,

 Me