Andrew Hong loved his wife, Jenny, and their children, Mia and Alex, with all his heart, mind, soul and strength -- with complete abandon, holding nothing back.
It showed today, when Mia talked about her daddy, her greatest cheerleader, driving instructor, mentor and the person with whom she exchanged messages most frequently, across multiple social media platforms.
The strength and tenderness of the bond that they shared, was equally apparent when Jenny spoke about her belovèd husband, and partner in crime, according to Mia, during his funeral service.
They both spoke of the challenge of adjusting to life without him.
He lived his life, including loving them, without hesitation or reservation. He was all in.
During her tribute to Andrew, Jenny shared their family motto.
“Work hard and play harder.”
Mrs. Hong, addressing her children, stated, “Your dad loved living life. He would want us to carry on and live life to the fullest, as he did.
He lived hard, laughed hard, loved hard and worked hard.”
You could see and feel the Hong’s grief, but it was devoid of the bitterness that accompanies regret. This is because Officer Hong consistently invested time and emotional energy in Jenny, Mia and Alex.
With pride, Mia shared some of the ways that he interacted with her, supported and encouraged her.
“With every event he worked, came groups of pictures sent my way. He wanted nothing more than to share with me what he did every day.”
“He always supported me, and he was always my biggest and loudest supporter, in the stands, at every one of my sports games.
In every video he recorded, you hear his voice yelling and cheering.”
One of the times that a smile crept across Alex’s face, and lingered momentarily, was when Mia spoke of their dad’s transition or adaptation to being a husband and father.
“In his early years, it was a lot of lifting and hitting the gym, but as he got older, his love for his muscles and cars turned into his love for his wife and kids.
He went from a stick shift Volkswagen GTI to an eight-seater minivan.”
A lesson that we all can learn from the Hong family is to love intentionally today. Tomorrow is promised to nobody.
Jenny Hong concluded her words of love, admiration and appreciation for Andrew as follows.
“Tomorrow would be our 21st wedding anniversary and this year is the first year, we are not celebrating together. So Andrew, if you are listening, please know that you will always and forever be the greatest love of my life.
Happy anniversary.”
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You can view Mia Hong’s (proud daughter) tribute at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D721HTiOsx8
You can view Jenny Hong’s tribute (loving and devoted wife) at
https://youtu.be/mdnKdJ1nFzk?t=17002
(starting at 4 hours, 43 minutes, 22 seconds)
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