Dudley the Marine

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Bradley Dennis Williams is the middle child and my Bonus son - nicknamed Dudley. Because when he was younger, he was always the one to 'Do Right' when anyone needed help. These are stories I've only heard, but they make me wish I was there for that part of his life. I met Brad second out of all 3 kids. He was 17. Meeting him was not planned - he was at Dennis' apartment and I had left my computer on there and it had the Enterpulse logo on it. Dennis and I had gone out to dinner. Brad remembered his dad working at Enterpulse and was curious as to who's computer it was at the apartment. Dennis and I were coming back from the date, and Brad was at the apartment with his friend Ryan. I met them both that night. I was a little nervous prior, but Brad has the natural ability to make anyone feel at ease. It's a gift. It's just who he is. When Brad is there, you just know everything is going to be alright. This is the same quality Dennis exudes. So being 17, Brad was probably at the most vulnerable time in his life, but you would never know it. After high school, Brad dabbled in and out of college before becoming a Marine. This is probably the thing I am most proud of him for! Not only because he took it upon himself to sign up to gain discipline and direction in his life, which took a ton of guts, but he also went to Afghanistan, and fought for our country. He is humble and grateful - and I believe being a marine is what put the dot on this exclamation point. If you could have seen him after boot camp - they pretty much tear you down to nothing to build you back up. He was a completely different kid and so thin! I made Dennis take him out immediately to get wings when we picked him up - I was like get that boy a sandwich! There is nothing I don't like about Brad - probably because he is a mini me of his father. He is unbelieveably thoughtful - especially for a guy. When Viggy was attacked by wild dogs and died, I was so heartbroken. Brad took a photo of her off my facebook page, had it made into a picture and had it shipped to me (and Dennis). This blew me away that he would be this considerate. He listens when you don't even know it and next thing you know, you have exactly what you want on your birthday or Christmas. He is always thinking ahead, comes prepared and I believe he may have actually gotten the variety pack gene from Dennis. Just like his father, Brad worries about the animals - any animal. Both of them get this from his paternal grandmother Helen Williams. Brad never has a bad thing to say about anyone - this too is a trait he gets honestly from his father. And he always gives you the benefit of the doubt no matter what the situation. Brad put himself through college at night after he came home from the Marines while he was working a day job at the DOD. He was determined and got his undergrad at Tulane and an MBA from LSU. After losing direction in college the first time, he really got it together. Today, Brad is a silent force of nature. Brad is an amazing man and that I am deeply proud of. He is in Project Management like Dennis and I (God help his soul), so he calls us to get advice and I am honored that he values my opinion. Since the day we met I have felt that he valued me as his Bonus Mom. I have no doubts he is going to blow past our accomplishments in no time. Having Brad in my life for the last 13 years has been awesome, and I am truly happy to have him as my Bonus Son.

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