One of the many things I love about my brother is his love for my three children. He loves me and Jason so much, it was always a given that he would love any child we made. I thought that becoming a parent might make Alex a little less involved in his nieces and nephew. That would have been a natural progression. But since having a daughter of his own, he is just as present. Just as proud. He is exactly the parent I imagined he would be — not too dissimilar to the uncle he is. He plays. Really plays. And he pays attention to all the details. Children feel secure with Alex. He makes them feel like they are a privilege to be around. He came to visit us this weekend from London, and within minutes of arrival we were all playing blind man’s buff. He laughs at children’s silliness from the depths of his belly, and listens to their stories with the engagement of a journalist. He’s responsible, reliable and very funny, all traits that kids like in an adult. I wish we all lived closer, but we make the time count.