Destin, you were stolen from me, our family, your wife Heather and so many of your friends on the early morning of June 18, 2020. The words, “he didn’t make it,” were uttered to me when I arrived at the hospital. At that moment, that short sentence, simultaneously, took my breath away and shattered my heart. Those words will haunt my soul for eternity. The days, weeks and months that followed were all a blur. There are still days where it doesn’t seem real. If I were ever granted just one wish, that would be to change places with you in Heaven.

I spend countless sleepless nights praying to God to wake me from this nightmare. My prayers go unanswered. Instead, the certainty of you being gone forever progressively becomes my reality. There is not a second of any day that passes where I don’t think of you and miss you beyond measure, Destin.

You were one of the greatest gifts that God blessed me with. I am so thankful to have had the chance to watch you grow into your own and become the great man you were. I will always cherish every memory we made together and will continually wish we had
been able to make many more. Although I can never physically touch you again, you will always live inside my heart and my mind.

Destin, you had a contagious personality, loving spirit and so many other amazing attributes that made you so special. I always admired how you chose to live life both personally and professionally. Your journey to find happiness and keep that happiness balanced in so many aspects of your life was and continues to be beyond inspirational. You genuinely cared about and loved many others, and reciprocally, they all respected you and loved you back.

 

Your time on Earth was way too short and it deeply saddens me you are no longer here. A parent should never have to bury their child. Moreover, a parent should never have to bury a child as result of an act by another human being, that is 100% preventable.

You no longer being here has been the worst pain I’ve ever felt. It is a feeling that is impossible to describe. I will greatly miss watching you continue to grow and fulfill your dreams. Destin, your legacy will always be remembered and never forgotten. Losing you has been the cruelest reminder that life is never guaranteed. The way you lived your life will always be a reminder to me and those who loved you, to be the best version of oneself; even on days when it seems unbearable.

I believe a time will come when I will see you again. When that time comes, I can only hope that I have made you as proud of me as you had made me proud of you.

I miss and love you so much, Destin.