For my 50th, I got all the bells and whistles–a trip to London to go wild at the Mamma Mia party! Meanwhile, Alex’s mid-life crisis comes off like any other day. Alexandra’s the lead in Suessical, Jr., so after today’s matinee, there’s strike; it’s all about her right now. However, she’d prefer to share the spotlight.
Same with Alex. We didn’t have time for a party, a trip is out of the question, and my planning skills aren’t at their peak right now even if we had the time, so the only way I could make magic out of this day was by reaching out to you. So we’re celebrating this moment the digital way. So here it is:
The 50 Things We Love Most About Alex:
- Let’s start from the beginning with his arrival in our family.
• Physically: Beautiful Baby. Amazing child. Handsome young boy. Well shaped, strong.
• Mentally: highly intelligent, great wisdom, knowledgeable very competitive, strong will.
• Spiritual strength: Very generous, compassionate, charitable, grateful, honest.
•Excellent son, loyal brother and loyal friend, loving husband, and an exemplary father…love you -P&M
2. The truth is much better than the version Alex says: he was born, and the nurses yelled out “gringo” (a foreigner to his land). Most likely, he was bigger than the other babies because he ate his twin in utero.
3. Here’s one. When we were young back in Brazil, Alex and I were playing with our matchbox cars (we liked racing each other). We got into a fight (can’t remember why (we were 10 and 12 yrs old)). We started punching each other and kicking, and somehow Alex kicked the wrong way, or I held his foot (hard to remember) and somehow broke/hard sprained his ankle. He started to cry and had a cast for a while. When my parents asked what happened, we both decided to stay quiet about our fight, so we told them that Alex had stepped the wrong way. Even when we fought/disagreed, we didn’t rat on each other, and we always looked out for each other. Alex has always been that way. -Mark
4. Alex has used that same story on countless parenting occasions. I’m not sure what point he was trying to make to the girls (hide things from your parents?), but it’s fun to hear it come from somebody else.
5. Alex always puts others first and saves the day. He rescued our house on Claflin Avenue in Mamaroneck from flooding. He helped calm Greg 🥰 The two of you saved Christmas for Eliza when Owen went into the hospital with pneumonia after having a grand mal seizure. Alex is beyond kind, loving, giving, and the best friend anyone could wish for 🙏🌟❤️ Of course, the same goes for you!!! -Margaret
6. Well, I had to keep the plug about me in there. But Alex would have kept this all about me. He’s that kind of guy. Speaking of Alex’s stories, have you heard the one about his first paycheck? He was so excited he invited the family out for ice cream. When he got the bill and used up all his money, he started crying. You could say he’s generous to a fault.
7. Alex, his generosity, sense of humor, and the 1989 Toyota Corolla he sold to me. -Robert
8. Selling his 1989 Toyota Corolla to my cousin, who just graduated from college at the time; well, at least Alex learned something about being too generous.
9. Alex is warm, loving, and kind. Always ready with a hug or a joke. He brightens any group, and we are blessed to have him brightening our family! He’s also a sick dancer 🤣 -Kathryn
10. Wishing you a joyous, fun-filled 50th birthday!!! Hoping you get to dance on your special day. You certainly impressed everyone at Kimberly’s wedding reception with some seriously hot moves. Rock on, Alex!😘😘😘 All our love -Aunt Ellen and Uncle Bob
11. He’s an insane dancer. You heard it twice. When we got dance lessons for our wedding, it was hard for me to accept that he was a way better dancer than I ever could dream of being. He can do that Latino hip gyrating thing that makes me look like I need to go to the chiropractor -STAT.
12. Love Alex’s gentleness, truthfulness, his demeanor, and that’s just off the room of my head 🥰🥰 🥰 I got a good one 👍👍 As U and the girls and all the family know. Now you gals have to be sure he works on himself and gets his high BP under control😍😍 -Aunt Suzie
13. Today, I want to wish a happy birthday to Alex, who’s a special person to me. Great son, brother, father, friend, and especially a great husband. Well, I know that he has given all of him with his wife. How do they say the marriage vows? In poverty and wealth, sickness and health. I take off my hat with all due respect to that man. And we wish him a long life full of happiness, health, prosperity, love, and peace for being such an amazing human being. -Elvira and family
14. We could almost go on forever. Where would you like us to start? We’d go on until his next birthday. He’s a dream come true for a father-in-law.” – Dad (& Mom agrees, though she wants to add what a great cook you are!)
15. We could start with the last bite. If you know Alex’s ritual, he always saves the best for last. All I’d have to do is ask for it. I never do because I don’t eat the last bite. I’m usually too stuffed by then, not to mention I couldn’t do that to him.
16. About Alex. Ira says his sense of humor. I’ll be back to you about what I love most (But for starters); I love that Alex wanted to share his fav cheesesteak place with Ira in your hometown and brought them to us when you all stayed over the night before the Marvelwood graduation. -Sara
17. This is a classic Alex story. We are all at Hersey Park. I think Skylar and Eliza wanted to go on the rocket roller coaster with the big drop (Fahrenheit for those of you in the know.) I said no way, but Alex was a good sport and agreed to go on the ride. Alex gets off a bit weezy but soldiered on! We are having lunch, and Alex is a bit white and not feeling well. No way was he going to admit not feeling well due to the rollercoaster! I asked Alex if he felt ok and because he did not want anyone to worry. He said he must be coming down with a cold! I’ve never heard anyone catching a cold 30 minutes after a rollercoaster ride! Hard to tell the humor in a text but a great example of how Alex will always stay positive no matter how he feels! -Greg
18. He’s one of my closest friends for life–a connection that can never be disconnected. I have known Alex (Alejandro) since the mid-90s. It’s hard to put into words what kind of guy he is. I learned a lot from him about becoming a successful trader while at OPCO. We sat next to each other for many years. He is a true gentleman and funny as hell without even realizing it. He has had a positive impact on my life in many ways. He has always been a very warm, caring, and giving man. He is a great husband and dedicated father who adores his beautiful wife and both of his lovely, very talented girls. -Mike
19. I can remember every day at work; he would speak to his parents to let them know how much he loved them. I was never sure exactly what he said at the end of every conversation, but it sounded like…” listo chow chow”…. I said it with him every day as he hung up. – Mike
20. He’s quite a talented tennis player and soccer player as well. I can run circles around him in both sports (but chose to let him win!) Haaaaa! NOT! Wishing him a very happy 50th. Alex, may God Bless you today and always… Love you my brother. – Mike
21. I’d like to speak to the “listo chow chow” line he uses on the phone with his parents. Early in our marriage, I wanted to know, “What exactly does that mean?” When he told me it meant, okay, bye bye, I was a bit taken aback. That’s the best you can do to end a conversation?
22. Another thing that is so enduring about Alex is that he always puts his family first. When we first met Alex and his family, I envied the relationship between his mom, dad, and Mark. They were so close. Even when Mark and Alex are competing with one another, you can still see the bond and love they have for each other. You can see now how he takes care of you, Skylar, Alexandra, and Holly and how proud he is of each one of you. -Trinh
23. The first thing that came to mind for me is that Alex always remembers birthdays. I don’t think he’s ever missed one of mine or my family’s, and in the years before texting, that meant actual phone calls. His thoughtfulness is always appreciated. -Tammy
24. And speaking of birthdays, Happy Birthday to Alex! We wish Alex a wonderful 50th Birthday Celebration. Much love and hugs to you, my dear Stephanie, to Alex, Skylar and Alexandra. -Picu
25. Hi Stephanie, the most enduring thing I love about Alex is how goofy he is. He’s always messing around, never taking anything seriously (not sure if most people will find that enduring😂). So when he IS serious, he always takes me by surprise, thus always keeping me on my toes and guessing all the time. I think life without Alex would be very boring. -Trinh
26. Tammy is right; he is very good with birthdates. -Trinh. I agree, too. He gets it from his mom. I never saw anyone like either one of them with birthdates and numbers.
27. My kids love how funny he is. -Trinh (Kids generally do prefer his sense of humor).
28. You are so right, Trinh! I LOVE how goody he can be. It’s enduring the way Alex does it. 🥰 -Tammy
29. That is so sweet! I love that Alex is the ideal stage father, completely supportive of his girls, both on and off the stage. He is even willing to lift pianos and tear his biceps to help his daughters❤️ -Deb
30. My favorite is when we met, and he helped strike Music Man. He tried to lift that piano by himself. The story is memorable but not a good outcome. Other than we don’t let him lift anything anymore. Of course, we love that he is our son -Harvey
31. That’s one of my favorite memories too. Alex was so good-natured about the whole experience. -Alicia
32. There was way more to this injury story, but I’ll leave it alone for now. But I need to clarify Harvey’s mentioning that Alex is his son–it’s based on a true story. Someone mistook Alex for Harvey’s son. We’ve been family ever since.
33. One of my endearing memories of Alex was at Christmas when my mom told Alex exactly how she wanted the ham carved. With such gentleness and humility. He so graciously took the instruction of this little old, slightly wide lady. And she was so happy that Ted and I had found such lovely and loving friends. Alex, you are kind beyond measure. You’re always ready with a smile and a hug, a word of encouragement, a clown wig, any number of wish grapes… You’re just a wonderful person!!! Happy 50th birthday! -Cara
34. 33.Because of his great love for his family, his great patience with so many of us, and, of course, his great love for my baked ziti snd meatballs👍 -Carole
35. I admire his humor and compassion for family and others! -Evelina
36. He’s extremely patient, ahem, particularly when he grunts under his breath. Depending on the occasion, I find that endearing or annoying.
37. Alex!!! Can’t believe you are 50!?? You are finally catching up. We wanted to reach out and wish you an amazing birthday. We have so many wonderful memories with you and Stephanie, and while it’s been a long time since we were last together, we think about you and your beautiful family always. Remember Napa, La Casa Que Canta, Costa Rica . . . Happy 50th to a very special friend! ❤️😘 -Maria
38. His wit (and his eyes in selfies). -AM
39. In those awkward silences, he always has something goofy to say to draw attention to him, so the rest of us don’t feel self-conscious.
40. Thinking…Still thinking. Ira said he couldn’t give a specific instance, but Ira loves his general effect and snarkiness. And Ira loves that he is not an ax murderer. -Sara I have to jump in here. To understand this horrible character reference, you have to read my blog. (It’s Ira’s favorite story).
A Terrorific Toast To A Greek Honeymoon Nothing
41. But to keep this fair, here’s one that counts. Alex is relentlessly optimistic, always the first person to greet you, and supports his friends. We are blessed to call him our friend. -Leigh
42. I have known both of you since the late 90s. I love that Alex is calm, cool, very kind, smart, lovable, fun, strong, very funny, and, as I learned through this past year, a bit vulnerable and willing to ask for and accept help. -Sara
43. I had many one-on-one conversations this past year with Alex. I learned that he has a vulnerable side (he opened up in a way he hadn’t done before) that I was really glad he showed me. We talked about some of the challenges he had and how to work through them. Things he and I had not had the opportunity to talk about before. It took us to another level of friendship. Ira and I have stayed close to the two of you and are now even closer. We love you both. -Sara
44. We only love everything about him. We love when Bill and he crack “b” jokes…charndon-B, Caber-B, etc. Bill loves his hair. We especially loved when he asked the crowd on the way to Mama Mia if they were ready to party (epic, memorable moment) in his Tiger suit. We love how he loves you and the girls and is proud as pickles when you’re all on stage -Anne
45. What do I love about Alex? Great sense of humor (see B jokes above). Intelligent. Fun to hang with. The only guy I know from Bolivia, or is it Bulgaria??? Great conversationalist. Thoughtful and patient. Just an all-around super guy!! -Bill
46. What I don’t like about Alex: he beat me at ping-pong and then let it slip later that he was playing right-handed!! -Bill FYI, Alex‘s a leftie.
47. Here are my top five starting with number five. He’s only sent me an exploding head emoji once–even though he probably wants to daily. -David I have to jump in here, again; he never brings work stress home, either. I never even knew he sent an exploding head emoji even once.
48. And the other four: He’s always got my back. He’s a role model for loving all three of his girls. His sense of humor–after ten years, I still don’t get it, but he still makes me laugh. He’s a kind, good and principled man who I’m proud to call my friend -David
49. He’s funny when he needs to lighten the mood, and he gives me an inspirational quote I’ve got to write down. Thanks for being the best dad in the world. -Skylar.
50. He always knows the right thing to say, whether a joke or a life lesson. -Alexandra
May you feel 50 times blessed today, dear Alex! We love you! This year you taught me what love is all about. And we’ll make sure to get that birthday dance in somehow.
