Five Years of Laughs, Smiles, Jokes and Above All Else; Love

Tony 5

Tony 5

Five years ago today our lives changed forever as Anthony Giovanni Vassallo was born. It was a day much like today; bright blue sky, nary a cloud, but it was markedly warmer. 

I remember walking to the car to get some things for Nicole and I was in shorts and a t-shirt. 

These past five years have been beyond what I could have ever imagined. Everyone always told me how great it is to have children and start a family; but their words didn’t do it justice.

Children really do have an unconditional love for their parents.

Knowing that each morning before he leaves for school I will get to see Tony’s smiling face come in and wake me up is something I look forward to each night when I go to bed.

Knowing that each afternoon when he barrels through the door from school that I will get a big hug and kiss highlights my day.

We have a special bedtime ritual that only I can do because it’s a little crazy!

It doesn’t take much to put a smile on Tony’s face, which makes me very happy because it means he takes after his wonderful mother and not me in that respect.

Tony is your typical boy. He loves firetrucks, tools, helping Poppi fix things and every now and then enjoys a good potty word. But who doesn’t?

His passion for life, making others smile and giving hugs and kisses to all he sees can brighten anyone’s day, no matter the circumstances.

Tony, you’ve had my heart since the minute your mother told me she was pregnant oh so long ago. I never thought I could love anyone more than I love your mother, but then you and Enzo came into my life.

Nicole understands. Children just bring a peace to your life that not much else can provide.

As I write this, Enzo is trying to rip your party decorations down, so it might be time to go.

Tony, I wish you the happiest of birthdays and plenty of tacos tonight at your Fifth Birthday Fireman Fiesta! I cannot wait to see you after school and celebrate with you! 

Jim is the creator and editor of Life with Tony and Enzo, Cinn City News, At the Dish and owner of Vassallo Marketing. He coached baseball for five years; three at his former high school (Holy Cross in Delran, NJ) and two at prominent Division III program Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He has worked for the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, NJ; Metro Networks in Bala Cynwyd, PA; and was the play-by-play announcer for the Camden Riversharks of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for two seasons (2007-2008) on Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM, the student-run radio station at Rowan University. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper, 'The Whit.' Jim lives in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, with his wife Nicole, sons Tony and Enzo and dog Thelma. He can be reached at jim@vassallomarketing.com.

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