There we were. Just us. You, me, a platform, and a white monorail in the distance, gliding toward us like a snake in the sand, waiting to take us on an adventure. We’d just finished breakfast with some of our new best friends (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy) and it was time for us to go to The Happiest Place on Earth – together. My little white tennis shoes followed your signature brown loafers step for step. We stopped and stood together waiting for our ride. I leaned in and rested my head on your khaki pants (the ones you always wore, the ones you still always wear) and you wrapped your arm around me, pulled me in, and patted me on the shoulder. I knew that meant you loved me, because it was your classic symbol of affection – and it still is. A glint of light from your gold watch caught my eyes and its shine brought out the blue in yours. I looked up at you, my grandfather, and thought, I hope I’m as tall as you one day. As the monorail swept around the corner and came to a halt, a warm bit of Florida breeze blew through your hair. We boarded together and made our way to the theme park. We rode the roller coasters together that day and I’ll never forget it, even though, looking back, my favorite time was spent standing together, just you and me, talking and laughing on the platform.

Now, I’m an adult, and we’re here in Florida again, you and me. We’re celebrating your 80th birthday. Your life. Your legacy. Your outfits haven’t changed, your smile and laugh are the same, and you still hug me from the side and pat my shoulder with approval. The wrinkles on your face reveal that some time has passed since I was a child, but they can’t conceal the twinkle in your blue eyes that reminds me of your youth. We’re here to celebrate your age, even though, in many ways, you’re just now coming of age. You’ve built your legacy around family, charity, and education, and I’m so proud that you’re my grandfather. As I sat across the table from you this morning and we sipped our coffee together, I was reminded of that day on the platform, together in The Happiest Place on Earth, and even though you didn’t know it, I felt the same emotion that I did as a child right there at the breakfast table: THIS is the Happiest Place on Earth. I may not look up at you anymore, but I look up to you more than you’ll ever know. Thank you, Papa, for giving me a legacy, a torch, something to carry on, and something to pass down. Your legacy will live on in many places. I’m sure of that. But I want you to be sure that I love you, admire you, and respect you, and because of that, it will surely live on in me.