August 9, 2026

Harrison has been rocking our world for four years as of last Wednesday. His Monster Jam birthday party was yesterday, and he had the time of his life. His passion these days has been his trucks, and his mom and dad threw him the truckiest party ever.

Lately, maybe since Sanna was born, maybe a little before, Harry has been asking all of us the same question. “Do I make you happy?” It was just a cute question until we noticed how often he was asking, and the query really seems to be a thing for him. Grace and Eli have done a great job showing Harry that although their family has changed and grown with Sanna, he has not lost favor. Harry adores Sannah and is very tender and loving with her. But to a four year old only child, becoming a duo can be be a challenge.

“Do I make you happy Lolli?” Yes Harry, you make me happy.

I sure don’t want him to grow up feeling responsible for my happiness. It’s too big for a little boy to be responsible for Lolli’s happiness. But yes Harry, you make me happy. Just being you makes me happier than light dappling through the trees on a hammocky napful afternoon. You make me happier than the harbor seals diving and swimming and swishing through the water at the zoo. Remember how silly and happy they look? Happier than the hotdog combo and chocolate milkshake at Dairy-O, and yes we can go there again and again anytime you want (just tell Papa and he will always say yes). Happier than watching ladybug eggs hatch into larvae on the climbing tree. That was so cool to see that last summer with you. Happier than a monster jam truck rally, but it was awesome to get to see Grave Digger and El Toro Loco with you. Happier than waiting out a rainstorm listening to the raindrops on the metal roof in the gazebo at the park. You make me happier than cheese.

I try not to tie it to his behavior or performance. I’m not happy when he’s making those bad choices, but oh how my happiness explodes when you do the things you do! You make me happy when we hold hands walking downtown to the Kaleideum children’s museum. And when you’re a chocolate-faced brownie bowl licker. And when we tell our stories, and you start giggling and we get sidetracked and I forget what I was even saying. When you help me with laundry, dishes, and watering the flowers and you spray me with the hose. When we barely make it home, dodging those zombie werewolves and moth men who always seem to follow us on our walks. Thank you for being brave and for keeping Lolli safe. When we FaceTime almost nightly and you tell me about your pizza Lunchable and you say “hey Lolli watch me, watch me,” and you show me how you make your monster trucks smash and crash. When you push yourself to do things that once scared you, and your internal voice becomes your external voice and I hear you saying “I can do this, I can do this, I’m safe and brave!” And everything you say and everything you do on our weekly Lollidays.

You can keep asking and I’ll always tell you the same thing. Harry, you make me happy.