decennary de·cen·na·ry, də̇ˈsenərē,
A period of ten years. This old English word was often used by British lawyers (or solicitors as they call them) and it is an appropriate word for today. Ten years ago Oliver James Hess was born in a hospital in Richmond, VA, but he almost was born in a 2011 Subaru Outback en route to a hospital in Richmond, VA.
We were living in a small rental home and were in the process of moving back to Cincinnati, OH, so we brought Oliver home to a cute little crib that fit in a closet…which he never slept in. Not because it wasn’t cute or comfortable. Melissa did a great job making the best of our temporary living situation and designed the cutest little area for Oliver to sleep…but he had other plans. He preferred to sleep on the overstuffed leather couches in our family room. Sometimes sleeping on the couch. Sometimes sleeping in his car seat, set on top of the couch. Maybe he sensed that we’d be moving soon, so he never wanted to get too comfortable in that house.
As I think about those days ten years ago, there were a lot of plates spinning. We moved back to Ohio when Oliver was just a few months old. Melissa began a new role as a professor at a University. We lived with my parents as we waited for our new home to be built. Charlotte was potty training. There was so much transition at that time in our life and to today, I think that set up Oliver in so many ways.
He’s easy going. He likes to keep it simple. He’s content in most situations and he typically has a smile on his face.
Oliver continues to enjoy the outdoors, soccer and anything with animals. After next year, he will be off to middle school with Charlotte. Melissa and I continue to enjoy raising these little humans who are quickly becoming young adults.
Happy Birthday Oliver James Hess!!!
