OPTION 4 (REVISED)
(Message from Mom & Dad):

IF WE COULD HOLD FORTY YEARS

[Intro]

Forty years...
Forty birthdays, forty years of watching you grow.
Seems like yesterday we held you in our arms,
And today, our baby turns forty.
Julien... this one's for you.

[Verse 1]

We remember when they placed you in our arms,
And the whole world disappeared,
We studied every little part of you,
Then whispered, “We're right here.”
We couldn't see forty years ahead,
Couldn't know how fast they'd fly,
We only knew we'd been given
One of God's sweetest gifts in life.

Then came the years of growing,
Little hands let go of ours,
You found your strength, you found your way,
Through seasons, days, and hours.
And somehow that little boy
Became this man we see and trust—
Everything we prayed you'd become,
And even more to us.

[Pre-Chorus]

Where did all those years go?
We'd turn around and there you'd be,
A little taller, a little stronger,
Becoming who you were meant to be.

[Chorus]

If we could hold forty years,
We'd hold them close tonight,
Every laugh, every lesson,
Every dream that came to life.
Every mountain you climbed over,
Every season that shaped you,
We'd gather forty years of memories
And give them back to you.

Happy 40th birthday, Son,
What a blessing you have been.
Four decades of watching you grow
From our baby to this man.
The world may say you're forty now,
But here's what time can't undo—
You'll forever be our little boy,
And we'll forever love you.

[Verse 2]

You're thoughtful, caring, kindhearted,
Strong and courageous too,
Family and friends can always count
On the love they find in you.
Smart, accomplished, professional,
But those things only tell a part,
Because what makes us proudest
Is the goodness in your heart.

With Alison beside you,
We watched your family grow,
Kylie, Laila, little Jaide—
Three more reasons love overflows.
To see you as a husband,
To watch you be their dad,
Makes us thank the Lord above
For the amazing son we have.

[Pre-Chorus]

Forty years of becoming
The man God called you to be,
One of our proudest achievements
Is the life before us we see.

[Chorus]

If we could hold forty years,
We'd thank God for every one,
For the child He placed within our arms
And the man he has become.
Through four decades of memories,
One truth has carried through—
We've always had your back, Son,
And we'll always stand with you.

Happy 40th birthday, Julien,
May you feel our love tonight.
You've given us four decades
Of reasons to thank God for your life.
And no matter where the next years lead,
There's one thing time can't undo—
You'll forever be our little boy,
And we'll forever love you.

[Verse 3]

We'll never forget the day
You gave your life to Christ,
When you rose from baptism water
To walk a brand-new life.
More than twenty years of serving,
Now a trustee faithfully,
Still beside us in the church
That's been part of our family.

And there's comfort in believing
When our earthly days are through,
We'll stand together with the Lord—
And we'll still be loving you.

[Bridge]

Julien...

Forty years ago,
We prayed over the tiny baby that we held.
And on your 40th birthday,
By God's grace, our prayers are upheld.

[Background: “Yes, Lord...”]

May God give you health and peace,
Love that keeps your home warm,
Purpose that keeps you moving,
favor that opens doors yet keep you from harm.

Father, keep Your hand on our son.
Protect him. Guide him. Strengthen him.
Bless Alison.
Cover Kylie, Laila, and Jaide.
Prosper the work of his hands
And keep their family strong.

[Background: “Keep him, Lord...”]

As he steps into this brand-new decade,
Let the years ahead be blessed.
And remind him no matter what or when...
We will always have his back.
[Choir: “Always...”]

[Final Chorus]

If we could hold forty years,
We'd lift them up in praise!
Forty years of grace and mercy,
Forty years of blessed days!

[Choir: “Thank You, Lord!”]

For the husband and the father,
For the son we're proud to know,
For the faith that's still inside you,
And the love you freely show.

Happy 40th birthday, Julien!
This is your milestone day!
May the God who brought you this far
Keep blessing you every step of the way!

May your forties bring you favor,
Greater purpose, love, and peace,
And may every blessing meant for you
Continue to increase.

[Music pulls back]

You are one of our wonderful gifts.
One of our proudest achievements.
And being your parents
Has been our greatest honor.

[Outro]

Forty years...
And somehow when we look at you,
We can still see our baby boy who even now still gives us overwhelming joy.

Happy 40th birthday, Julien.

Your Dad loves you.
Your Mom loves you.
And forever and always...

We love you muchy, muchy, much.

[Background: “Muchy, muchy, much...”]

More than you'll ever know.

Happy 40th birthday, baby.
Mom and Dad love you... always.