The happiest day of my life

It's true. The day I married Aimee was the day I realized I was the luckiest man alive. Isn't she beautiful? I could look at that face forever.

It's crazy how time flies. We have now been married over 2 1/2 years and we have a baby! I can't think of anyone I would want to spend my life with more than her. She "completes me", and that's no joke. It's funny how alike we can be and still be so different. We are alike in all the ways that matter, and the ways that make life fun. Our differences balance each other out to make us better people (well, at least to make me better). It's exciting for me to think of what possibilities lie ahead of us. Whenever I look at these pictures from our wedding I am reminded of the excitement of starting a new life together, and I feel it again. Who know what's in store? I suppose only heaven. We've been talking recently how we know that Cole isn't going to be our last kid. I am filled with anticipation for what our family will become, and what adventures could be in store. Aimee, you are my world. I love you.

My Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday. Aimee and I went over to Dana's house to have German Chocolate cake in his memory (his favorite cake). Ever since he died, we have tried to get together as a family for his birthday for this tradition. We normally don't talk about Dad much, because it is still too tender of a topic for most of us on days like this. It's definitely a hard topic for me and writing about it is hard as well. I am trying to make this blog somewhat personal because I think I have a lot to learn about myself, but at the same time it is difficult to talk about such a sensitive subject. I am holding the tears back as I write this.

Where do I begin... My Dad's name is Dean Stewart Bergam. He was born Sep 17, 1949. I looked up to him more than anyone in the world, and he took good care of his family. It has now been almost 10 years since he died. I remember when it happened and that it didn't really sink in at first (I still don't know if it really has). I can remember standing in the hallway with my Aunt, who was calling family members to tell them what had happened. I didn't cry, just stood there. He had died due to complications during an open-heart surgery, something he had always been afraid of. I would give anything if I could go back to stop that surgery.

Since his death, I have noticed a few changes in myself. I still have managed to maintain an undying optimism about life, but along with that optimism comes an almost mechanical response to anything that goes wrong. Since the day my Dad died, I have been prepared for anyone I know to die. I may not be as prepared as I think I am, and it's not like I try to be ready for anything to happen, it's just that my sub-conscious has already done the work to build any coping mechanisms that could conceivably be necessary. I haven't noticed that this has adversely affected any of my close relationships. I don't have trouble getting close to people or "letting people in", but I sometimes if there are other effects that I am not aware of.

Ribs

For Labor Day weekend we went to Reno, NV to visit my Uncle Brad and Aunt Shelly. What a fun time! We went there last year for Labor Day too so it is becoming somewhat of an annual tradition. The main event of the trip is the Annual Rib Cook Off that happens downtown by the casinos. Man those ribs are good! I salivate the whole 9 hour drive for those things. We mostly love going down to see the family though. Brad and Shelly are so fun, and their house is so nice and comfortable it really makes the trip easier (shu-shu-fu-fu). I especially loved spending time with my cousins Jason, Lauren and Daniel (who flew in for the weekend). It's a shame Brooke couldn't be there. There is something really special about being around them, I think partly because Brad is like my Dad in many ways, and it is comforting to be around someone who reminds me so much of the father I miss every day. Anyway, I am very grateful to have them and I hope they want to continue this tradition as much as we do.

Darth Cole

This was taken by Dana when Cole was still very little. Aimee (who is hilarious) edited the picture. The title says it all.