You were with me in those days of nervous energy, hope, fear and change as we packed the house, sold the cars, left the jobs, kissed the family goodbye and boarded the plane to our new life.

You were with me. A part of me.

You were with me when we arrived, exhausted, frazzled and eager.

As we settled into our little apartment in Neve Daniel.

As we went to Ulpan, threw your brothers into completely foreign daycare and nursery school.

You were with me, with our hearts beating together, with your potential growing and growing.

You were always with me.

And when you finally arrived, becoming an independent little being, we gave you a huge name.

Amichai Oz.

A name that encompassed all of our hopes for you, for our Aliyah as a family, for our nation, for our future.

We knew it was a lot of name. As our Aliyah baby, it was a name deserving of the fork in the road our family took, of the massive decision we had made for your life and that of your brothers.

And how you have grown into it.

Amichai Oz.

Our nation lives in strength.

And pain, and struggle, and change, and hope for an ever-glorious future.

You embody it all with the path you are carving for yourself; with the example you are setting of strength and perseverance, flexibility and determination.

You’ve spent these 20 years developing into yourself and becoming the best Amichai Oz that you can be.

And now it’s time for the ultimate embodiment of your name.

Because our nation only survives by our strength, and by our army, and by the selfless act of serving our people that each young person is called to do.

And now we will stand on the sidelines, always, always rooting for you, loving you and supporting you.

As you embark on this next chapter in your journey.

As you give all your strength and determination to the army; as you help to keep our nation living and growing and thriving; as you develop even more into the person that you are becoming, with this next adventure.

Amichai Oz.

May it be a meaningful, productive, fulfilling service. May you see yourself as an important link in the chain that keeps our nation strong. And alive.

We will be here, with tears of pride and nostalgia, each time you come back home.

As we send you off to the next chapter of your beautiful life.