20/10/2026
A proud dad, and a heavy heart ❤️ 🇦🇺
A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Caymyn being accepted into the Australian Army, with him due to head off in May. At the time, I mentioned that his older brother Taj would be following in his footsteps at some stage.
Well, things have moved a little quicker than expected.
First, we found out Taj would be leaving in March. Then, just a couple of days ago, he got the call to say he’d be heading off in just two weeks.
Taj is my firstborn. I still remember changing his very first nappy. I took the first 12 months off work to be home with him. I was there for his first steps, swimming lessons, trips to the library and all those little moments that, looking back, were actually the big moments.
We’ve done everything together ever since.
He went through school, then came straight into working alongside me in the family business. Over the years, I’ve watched him grow from a little boy into a hardworking, capable young man and a qualified arborist and a ripping human.
And now he’s about to head off into the big wide world, not just to start a new job, but to serve his country in the Australian Defence Force. 🇦🇺
I couldn’t be prouder of him.
But I also can’t pretend this is easy. For nearly 22 years, he’s been such a big part of my everyday life. And now, with just two weeks’ notice, I’m trying to get my head around not having him around every day.
It’s funny how you spend your life raising your kids to become independent, confident young men, and then when they do exactly that, you wish you could slow time down just a little.
Every time I think about him leaving, my eyes well up.
Taj, I’m so incredibly proud of the man you’ve become. It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my life being your dad, watching you grow up and getting to spend so much of that time right beside you.
I’m going to miss you more than words can describe mate. But I know you’re going to do great things.
Love you, son. ❤️🇦🇺
