Is that Don Sparks? Actor, Musician, and all-around wonderful guy?
It is.
And it’s his birthday today.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t utter a fervent thank you for his presence in my life. Not one. My life was happy before I met him, but it is so much happier and richer and loving since. Oh, it’s overused, I know, but he is my soul mate.
He’s kind, courageous, intelligent, wildly funny, good, compassionate, wise, and humble. He is always trying to be a better person. He reaches out to help those in need. He has an open and giving heart.
He’s a brilliant actor. He writes beautiful music with lyrics that will break your heart and make you laugh and touch a chord deep within you. He was a wonderful father to our beloved dogs. He cooks (lucky me). He has a sense of adventure and spontaneity that I so admire and that nicely balances my more cautious nature. He has made me a better person, that’s for sure.
I won’t talk about the day we met – that anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks – but I will say that it was the game changer, the most important day of my life.
Don Sparks, you are simply a wonderful man, the best man I have ever known.
Happy Birthday, dear one.
And Happy Birthday to our nephew, Little Z! He’s five years old today!
We love that they share the same birthday. Uncle Don and Little Z.
I’ll be back tomorrow with Don’s reaction to the TSP.
Happy Friday.
Regina Anne says
Wishing you the happiest of days Don ! And, a big thank you to you both for opening up your home and your life to all the followers of this blog.
Don says
Thanks, Regina!!!! Thanks for coming along!!
Chy says
Happy Birthday to Don. A sweet tribute to a lovely man!
Chy says
And Little Z too! Love that they share a birthday!!
Don says
Thanks, Chy!!!!!
cindy says
Happy Happy Day to Don and your cute as can be nephew. May they both have many more happy birthdays.
Don says
Thanks, Cindy!! I really appreciate it!!
Karen says
Happy Birthday, Don! May all your wishes come true!
Don says
Thanks, Karen! So good to read your comment!
Connie says
Happy Birthday, Don!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day
Don says
Thanks, Connie! I DID have a wonderful day!!
Sylvia says
What a lovely tribute to Don!
Happy birthday to Don and Little Z!
Don says
Thanks, Sylvia!! Really appreciate it!
Shanna says
I wish you the happiest of birthdays, Don!
Don says
Thanks, Shanna! It was a doozy!!!
Doris says
Happy Birthday to Don and little Z. Have a fun day.
Don says
Thanks Doris for helping to make it fun!!
Rachel says
I hope you have a wonderful, happy day, Don!
Don says
Rachel, thanks and boy I sure did!!!
kathy says
happy birthday, don! hope this is a day full of cake and happiness, some time spent looking back at accomplishments and even more looking forward to the great things ahead. may this day be the start of your best year yet.
and same for darling little z!
claudia, that was a lovely tribute to your husband. glad you two have each other.
and i am sure don will love the tsp (you both have so many talents that add much to life)!
kathy in iowa
Don says
Kathy, it was a wonderful day with cake and big surprises!! Thanks for coming along!!
Mary says
Don, wishing you a very Happy Birthday. I know you will love your present! We are all waiting for you to see it.
Don says
Mary, thanks for sharing the surprise!!!!!
Laura Richardson says
Happy birthday to Don and little Z! I hope their birthday wishes all come true.
Don says
Thanks so much, Laura!!!
Laura C says
Happy Birthday Don and Little Z! Hope you both have wonderful days.
Don says
It was wonderful, Laura! Thanks!!!!!!
monica says
Happy Birthday Don!
Happy Birthday Little Z!
Have a wonderful day & enjoy!
xoxo monica
Don says
Thanks Monica for being a part of it!!!!
Dottie in Maryland says
Happy Birthday to Don and Cute Litttle Z! I Hope you two fine guys have a great year with many new adventures.
Don says
Thanks, Dottie!! It was a great day, and thanks for joining in!
Mary says
Happy, happy Birthday Don – and may little Z also be having a rip roaring Birthday down south!!!!
How fortunate are we with perfect soul mates.
Mary XX
Don says
Thanks, Mary!!!
Debbie says
Best wishes for a Happy Birthday to Don & Little Z!
Don says
Thanks so much, Debbie. I really appreciate it!
Barbara W. says
Wishing you a very happy birthday Don and all the best for the coming year.
Don says
Thanks so much, Barbara! Same to you and yours!
Kathy says
Happy birthday, Don. Enjoy your day !
Don says
Thanks for helping to make it enjoyable, Kathy!!!
Cathy says
Happy Birthday Don! Hope your special day is filled with lots of love, fun and laughter!
Don says
Thanks, Cathy!!! Thanks for joining in!!!
Vera says
Happy Birthday Don!!! Enjoy the TSP reveal…can’t wait to read about your reaction.
Lovely post Claudia — you are both lucky people:)
Don says
Thanks, Vera! Hope you liked the reveal as much as I did!!!
Betsy says
Happy birthday to Don! What a lovely message you wrote to him Claudia. I can’t wait to see his reaction to the TSP. I hope you both have a lovely day together.
And of course happy birthday to that precious little “Z. ”
Blessings, Betsy
Don says
Thanks Betsy for sharing in the day!!!!!
Margaret says
A Happy Birthday to your two best boys.
Don says
Thanks, Margaret!!!!!
Judy Clark says
Don –
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Don,
Happy Birthday to you.
And Many More!!!
Judy
Don says
Thanks, Judy for the song!!!!! And for sharing along!
Donnamae says
Happy Birthday Don! And Happy Birthday to Little Z! Sweet, loving tribute to a wonderful guy! Hope you have the happiest of days! ;)
Don says
Thanks, Donnamae!!!! I really am grateful for your comment!
Sharon Avinger says
Happy, happy birthday Don! I hope your day is filled with fun and surprises!
Don says
Thanks, Sharon!! It was!!!!
Wendy T says
Happy birthday to Don! Have a wonderful day and an exciting year. And happy birthday to your nephew….I think kids love being 5, as they can use one whole open hand to indicate their age.
Don says
Thanks, Wendy!!!! I need four hands! (at least!)
Cheryl says
Happy, Happy Birthday Don!! My wish for you is another year of happiness, many blessings and much love!
Happy 5th Birthday Z!! I hope you have a crazy happy day!
Don says
Thanks. So much Cheryl!! May you have a great year too!
Joy@aVintageGreen says
Happy Birthday Don. Your studio is a miniature dream. Happy Birthday to little Z too.
Joy
Don says
Thanks so much, Joy!! You’re right, it is!!!!
Julie says
Happy Birthday to Don and your nephew.
What a perfect day you have weather wise — perfect for a birthday hike!
Don says
Thanks Julie for helping make it perfect all around!!
Nancy in PA says
Oh, how I love your “how we met” story.
“Our eyes locked across a crowded room….”
So romantic. ♡ ♡ ♡
Have a wonderful, happy birthday.
Don says
Thanks, Nancy!! It was romantic alright!!!
elizabeth s says
Don must be Beaming and grinning from ear to ear because of all these beautiful words you’ve used to describe him and how you feel about him Claudia; and who could blame him!? But he also has a wonderfully supportive woman in his life who has no doubt enriched it and who fully appreciates him, and who most assuredly IS his soul mate too.
Happy Birthday Don
and a Big Happy Birthday to Little Z too! :D
Don says
Thanks, Elizabeth!! For everything you said!!!
Myra says
I feel like I am in the inner circle of a couple of rock stars!! I love reading about your interesting lives, both of you!! But, well, then when I watch a video of Don singing a lovely song he’s written or see him in a MOVIE or on TV, it’s like ‘I KNOW THAT GUY!’.
So, Happy Birthday to you and your nephew!!
Don says
Myra, I’m the lucky one to get to know YOU!! Thanks!!!!
Maureen says
Wishing Don the happiest of birthdays! And Happy Birthday to Little Z too!
I love that you are soul mates. And I love your love for each other.
:)
Don says
Thanks so much, Maureen! So glad you joined in!!!
Nancy Blue Moon says
Happy Birthday Don…to a great guy and truly Claudia’s soul mate…I enjoy your music..your acting..and knowing what a wonderful husband you are to my friend…May you be blessed with many more! Nancy..and now I shall go say HB to your little birthday buddy..
Don says
Nancy, thanks so very, very much for your kind words!!! I really appreciate it!!! And, I love your name!
Teresa says
Happy Birthday to both Don and Little Z!! After years of reading this blog I know that this day will be one you make the most of. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Don says
Thanks Teresa for being a part of it!!!!!
Joan says
Happy, happy Birthday, Don. And thanks for making Claudia so happy.
Those beautiful heartfelt words I will read a few more times. Just because they are so lovely.
Happy day for you both.
Don says
Thanks so much, Joan!!! I really appreciate your kind words and thought!!!
Vicki says
A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the boys! I feel we’ve come to ‘know’ them through your blog. And I’m so happy for you and Don, that you are indeed soulmates and love each other so much. It’s wonderful to know it’s out there in the world! Don sounds like a splendid person.
Don says
Vicki, I want to thank you so much for all your kind words and thoughts!!!!
Charlene says
Happy Birthday, Don and Little Z. I hope you both have an amazing day. Claudia, what a special tribute. You brought tears to my eyes. I can’t wait to see Don’s reaction to his present. I am more excited for his birthday this year than mine!
Don says
Thanks, Charlene! Glad you could share in the day!!
Ranee says
Best Wishes Don, for a wonderfully Happy Birthday. Hope you have a day of joy and great
memories and many more.
And of course, a very Happy Birthday to your sweet nephew!
Don says
Thanks so much, Ranee!!!
Lyndia from Northern CA says
Well Don, (love that name as it was my late husbands name as well) it’s your special day and an important one to all that know you, so says your dear wife.It’s a day to celebrate you and what you mean to others and how important you are to the world around you. Birthday cake, candles, people that love you, it’s all part of the celebration. So enjoy your special day and take time to remember how important you are to all that know you. And I can’t forget the little guy in Florida. Little “Z” as you call him. Wonder if he slept last night in anticipation of his birthday today? (I’m a granny and I can still remember the excitement of my birthday as a young child .) He is a lucky boy to have such a loving family around him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BOY!
Don says
Thanks, Lyndia!!! I really appreciate you kind words and wishes. Much love to you!!!
Melanie says
Happy birthday to both Don and Little Z! Hope they both have the happiest of days.
Don says
Thanks so much, Melanie!!!!!!!
Nancy Moreland says
Happy Birthday to Don and Little Z. May your day be filled with fun and happiness!!
Hugs!!
Don says
Thanks so much, Nancy!!!!!
Debra says
Happy Birthday, Don! Claudia says she is lucky to have found you, but I’ll bet you say the same about her. Have a wonderful day!
Don says
Thanks, Debra, I do indeed!!!!
Don says
Thanks, Debra,!!!!!!
brae says
Happy happy happy birthday to Don and Z!!! :D
Don says
Thank you Thank you Thank you, Brae!!!
casey Rice says
A very Happy Birthday to Don! I am a fan of both his music and his acting, Claudia. Please tell him so! Casey
Don says
Thanks Casey! That’s so very, very kind!!!!
Dottie says
Happy birthday, Don. I wish you many, many more. Can’t wait to see your reaction to your very special birthday present.
Don says
Thanks, so much Dottie!! Hope you enjoyed the reaction!!!!
Gail says
Happy Birthday to Don and little Z!!
Don says
Thanks, Gail!!!!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Happy Happy Day to Don and to sweet Little Z. May your next trip around the sun be the best one yet ~ with many many more to follow!
By now you have likely seen the TSP! Please know how anxious we all are to see “the reveal” in tomorrow’s post!!
Don says
Thanks, Chris!! Hope you liked the reveal as much as I did!!!!
jeannine says
Happy birthday wishes to Don and Sweet Little Z from the Lone Star State :-)
Don says
Thanks, Jeannine!!! Hope all is well is Texas!!! (My mom was from there!).
Christina says
Happy Birthday Don!
Don says
Thanks, Christina!!!!
meredith says
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest guys I know. I love you Don and am thrilled you are such a big part of my family.
Mere
Don says
Thanks, Mere!!! I’m the lucky one. Love you.
SueZK says
Happy Happy birthday to two very special people. Don have a great day you deserve it. Little Z hope everything about your birthday makes you smile.
Don says
Thanks, Sue!!!!
Sue says
Happy Birthday to Don and your nephew. May they both have a wonderful time on their special day!
Don says
Thanks you, Sue. It was a great day, and thanks for joining in!!!!
Janine says
Happy birthday Don wishing you your day be filled with all the love and joy possible. To little Z wow a big 5 year old now, enjoy lots of hugs and love on your very special day♥ From Janine, South Australia
Don says
Thanks so much, Janine! Hope all is looking up down under!
Denise says
Happy Birthday Don. Hope you had an amazing day!
Don says
Thanks, Denise, I did!!!! Thanks for being a part of it!!
Jan says
Happy birthday Don, I hope you have a wonderful day!
Don says
Thanks so much, Jan. It was great!!!!
Debbie in Oregon says
Happy Birthday Don!
Don says
Thanks, Debbie!!!
LuvWheaties says
Happy Birthday to Don. Happy Birthday to Little Z. I hope the day was everything you had hoped for!
Don says
Thanks, Sandra!!!
Sherry says
Happy birthday, Don !!!
Don says
Thanks, Sherry!!!!!
Tana Griffith says
Happy Birthday Don!! Hope your day was wonderful with cake, ice cream, champagne and balloons!
P.S. We saw you on “Elementary” last night.
Don says
Thanks Tana for joining in on the ride!!!!
Debbi Saunders says
Happy Birthday Don and Little Z!!! I hope that you have had a wonderful day!And I can’t wait to see how you liked your fantastic surprise!!! A true labor of Love!
Don says
Thanks, Debbi for sharing the surprise!!!!
Teresa Kasner says
*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* Don.. from Oregon. It’s always fun when I spy you on TV. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Don says
Thanks, Teresa for the hugs and kind words!!!
Tammy says
Happy, happy, happiest of birthdays Don! Very special to share it with Little Z Man. :) So very happy that the TSP has finally been revealed. So very cool!
Don says
Thanks for joining in, Tammy!!!! Hope you had fun!!!
Linda @ A La Carte says
Happy Birthday Don! I feel like I’ve come to know you through Claudia’s blog. Both of you are friends I’ve yet to meet in person but we share a great bond. I’m so happy you loved your special gift. So much love went into it and I know you can tell. Welcome to 65 and beyond!
hugs,
Linda
Don says
Thanks, Linda!!! I really appreciate you joining in on the fun, and thanks for the 65 welcome!!!!!!
Dianne says
The world is a better place for having one Don Sparks and Little Z here. May they have a memorable birthday celebration filled with happiness and joy!…..
Don says
Thanks so very much, Dianne!!!! You make it all the more fun and joyous!!!!!!