August 23, 2026
A little something from David.
I wish I were home today.
Because you only turn 60 once.
And unfortunately, I couldn't be there to celebrate it with you. I hope you like your gifts😁
There was just one small problem.
I wanted to make you something special.
So naturally, I thought I needed lots of pictures.
We seriously need to start taking pictures in this family. 😂
This is what I found.
One
Thankfully, I found another picture.
Two
But maybe I didn't need pictures after all.
Because there are things I remember that no picture could ever capture or words, express.
You are Strong.
Strict.
Can be Loud. 😂
Normal volume
Daddy on the phone
Very Forgiving.
Always Supportive.
and Selfless.
I really am proud that you are My Father.
Raising six children could not have been easy.
That is six different personalities, and six different futures to worry about.
But you always put us first, making sure every single one of us was taken care of.
When I was younger, I didn't always understand you.
The corrections.
The scolding.
The rules.
The things that sometimes felt like you simply wouldn't let us live our lives.
I understand them differently now.
When you're young, you think your parents are trying to stop you from being happy.
Then you grow older.
You live alone.
You start making your own decisions.
And eventually you realize that most of those things were simply a parent's way of saying:
"I want you to be okay."
I've made mistakes.
There have been moments when I thought I had disappointed you beyond repair.
But somehow, even when I expected the worst, you showed me that being disappointed in someone doesn't mean you stop loving them.
You corrected me.
You supported me.
You never stopped being my father.
And then there's Mummy.
Always smiling.
The one we all gossip with 😅.
And together, you two gave us home.
There are things I don't say enough.
Thank you.
Thank you for everything you've done for me.
For the things I noticed.
And especially for the things I didn't.
Thank you for giving me a family where I never had to wonder whether I was loved.
Daddy.
I love you very,
very much.
Happy 60th birthday 🥳!
Growing up as number four out of six children meant I was always somewhere in the middle. I got to learn from those who came before me, and I tried to guide the ones who came after. But despite coming from such a large family, I have spent most of my life away from home. From boarding school all the way to finishing university and now waiting for convocation, there has always been a lot of physical distance between us.
But distance also gives you perspective.
When I was younger and hot-headed, it was easy for one to think that your rules and corrections were just you trying to stop us from being "happy". Now that I am older and live alone, I see it for what it actually was. You just wanted us to be okay. You wanted to make sure we were ready for the real world.
I will never forget how you handled my biggest Mistakes. Even in times I knew the situation was a massive disappointment, you always stood by me. You offered your support when I did not even feel like I deserved it.
You pray for us constantly. You put our futures before your own comfort. You taught me what selfless love looks like, just by being exactly who you are.
I hate that I cannot be home today to celebrate this with you. You only turn 60 once. But I hope this small gesture shows you that I see everything you do.
Thank you for raising us. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my father.
I love you Daddy.
Happy Diamond Jubilee Mr. Marvel Etietop
From your son, who loves you more than he could ever express. ❤️
P.S. Yes, I made a whole website because simply saying "Happy Birthday Daddy" was nowhere near enough. 😅