Nona - celebrating your 20th birthday today is of course a significant mile marker in your life. Much could be said regarding its significance .

However Nona I would like to tell you a little story of why your 20th birthday is in a very special way, also a significant mile marker for me and for your mom.

In 1999 our family consisted of 5 wonderful children – we were proud of each and loved them all very much – It was your mother that brought up the subject of another child … At first I was somewhat sceptical .. not because I had anything against a larger family … but quite obviously as time went along my age was becoming a factor to be considered.

At that time I was 52 – and I wanted to be more than just a biological figure through the childhood period of any new family member .. I was anxious to have sufficient capacity to actively fill a worthy father role .. to have the strength, together with your mom, to provide the care, guidence and the support that I had learned active parenting involved -- at least for the first 20 years of this childs life.

Of course guarantees for this capacity at my age were unrealistic … but I remember the very moment in South Africa on our way back from Robin Island .. with Capetowns ’Table Mountain’ in the background, when your mom and I made one of the most wonderfully correct family decisions in our family life.

A year and a half later you came into our lives. Now Nona, you are 20 and these 20 wonderful years (that were my special concern and hope for) have been given to me in full. Now I have had the privelage together with your amazing mom, of being able to be somewhat of an involved parent to a most wonderful daughter – for 20 years!

For each one of these 20 years and for all the amazing things that we have been able to share together through them I am greatful. Thank you Nona, for each and every one.

Your dad