One thing that makes me very happy for Randy was that he found love in his life. He got the opportunity to share his unique personality and wit with someone (outside his family) that cared about him and appreciated him for who he was. But what makes me the most proud is the kind of love Randy knew and expressed. It wasn’t a dirty kind of love, tainted by lust and lies. Instead, Randy experienced a very pure form of love that was innocent and unspoiled, and that is something any father would be proud of.
Besides the Night to Shine proms, he had other special needs dances that he got to spend time with his love interest, as well as his other friends. One night at one of these particular dances, it was a bit muggy. All the kids were dancing close together on a darkened dance floor and it made the humidity in the room almost thick. Randy sat down next to me to take a break from dancing with his girl friend and I could see he had broken a sweat.
“Hey, Randy,” I said, “you getting thirsty yet?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty hot”, he answered, “I think I’m going to get a drink”.
I grabbed his shirt sleeve as he got up and told him, “You know, Randy, every girl likes a gentleman, and I’ll bet she’s thirsty too. When you go and get yourself a drink, you should get her one and bring it to her”.
A simple “ok” is all he said (typical Randy lol) and he walked over to the drink table, where one of the dance’s volunteers gave him a cup of soda. A second or two later, I saw him saying something to the volunteer, saw her smile at him, and she handed him a second cup. When he walked back by me, I said, “Let me get a picture of my little gentleman!” and he turned and gave me that big ol smile. Randy was so proud of himself for getting her that drink and it showed on his face. He proudly walked over and handed it to her, and she jumped up and hugged him. Mission accomplished, my little gentleman….
For the love of Randy... 