2005

In May of 2005, my wife Sara and I were thrilled to welcome our second daughter Gracie into the world.

With our older daughter Chasey, my son Gunner, and my oldest daughter Destiny, that made me a father of four - quite a full house!

Meanwhile, Chiara and Cole were celebrating the birth of their third child, a little boy they named Calvin.

So Destiny, my oldest, now had six siblings in total. I remember how surprised but happy she was when we told her the news.

Destiny's life has continued to be busy and exciting as well. After graduating high school, she decided to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she's been keeping plenty busy as a student-athlete.

She's competing in track and field for Georgia Tech, putting her incredible athletic abilities to the test at the collegiate level.

And it just so happens that she's also found a special someone to share this chapter of her life with - her boyfriend Joe, who also attends Georgia Tech and plays football for the Yellow Jackets.

It's been wonderful to see Destiny thrive and come into her own these past few years.

She's always been such a driven, passionate young woman, and Georgia Tech has provided the perfect environment for her to truly excel.

The campus life and rigorous academics have been a great fit, pushing her to work harder than ever before.

And of course, having Joe by her side has been a bonus. Those two make such a great team, both in and out of the athletic arena.

When Destiny first told us she was dating Joe, I'll admit I was a little apprehensive.

As a father, I want nothing more than for my children to be happy and successful, but I also know how complicated romantic relationships can be, especially at such a demanding stage of life.

College is challenging enough without the added dynamic of a serious boyfriend or girlfriend. But Joe was a good kid - respectful, ambitious, and truly smitten with my daughter.

And the way Destiny's face lights up whenever she talks about him, it's clear the feeling is mutual.

Joe and Destiny seem to bring out the best in each other. They're both driven, focused students who are passionate about their sports.

I've watched them cheer each other on from the sidelines, offering encouragement and moral support.

And when they're not competing, they make sure to carve out quality time together, whether it's studying side-by-side in the library or going on cute little dates around campus.

It's the kind of healthy, supportive partnership that any parent would be thrilled to see their child in.

Of course, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The demands of being a student-athlete at an elite university like Georgia Tech are intense.

Destiny and Joe are constantly juggling classes, practices, games, and travel - it's a nonstop whirlwind. I remember one conversation I had with Destiny where she was feeling completely overwhelmed, and on the verge of tears.

She was stressed about keeping up with her coursework, worried about an upcoming track meet, and lamenting the fact that she and Joe had barely seen each other that week due to their packed schedules.

As a parent, my heart broke listening to her struggle. I did my best to offer words of encouragement and remind her that she was more than capable of handling it all.

And of course, I made sure she knew that Chiara and I were always here for her, no matter what.

Luckily, Destiny and Joe have proven to be a resilient pair. They've learned to communicate openly about the challenges they face and to support each other through the tough times.

And they've developed strategies to make the most of the precious little free time they have - whether that's scheduling regular date nights, or simply making an effort to be present with each other rather than constantly stressing about the next item on their to-do lists.

It's been amazing to witness their relationship evolve and deepen over the past couple of years. What started as a sweet childhood crush has blossomed into something truly special.

I can see the way they look at each other, the way they instinctively reach for each other's hands - there's a level of comfort, trust, and genuine care that radiates between them.

And the way they uplift and encourage one another, even amid intense competition and academic pressure, is truly inspiring.

Of course, as a father, I can't help but worry about the future. I know that Destiny and Joe are young and that the demands of their college careers will only continue to intensify as they get closer to graduation.

There's no telling what opportunities may arise - whether it's Destiny getting recruited for an elite track program, or Joe getting drafted by an NFL team.

The prospect of them potentially having to navigate a long-distance relationship, or having to make tough decisions about prioritizing their individual goals, is daunting. I want nothing more than for them to be able to support each other and keep their relationship strong, no matter what the future holds.

But for now, I'm just focused on cherishing the present and being there for my daughter. Watching Destiny come into her own, both as a student and an athlete, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

And of course, with Chiara and Cole's growing family, and Gunner, Chasey, and Gracie, there's never a dull moment in our blended family.

It's a whirlwind, to be sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our family may be bigger and more bustling than ever, but the love and support we share is what keeps us grounded.

We may be spread out across the country now, but we make sure to stay connected, checking in on each other and celebrating each other's milestones.

As I look back on how much has changed in the past few years, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful.

There are challenges, of course, but seeing the love and support we all share makes my heart swell.

This family of mine - they're my whole world, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.