Notes

Let me tell you what I think:
I understand why you have aprehensions about letting Brayden visit me at my home; I really do. Because he doesn't know me too well, because of the distance, and because you'd miss him; but this is why I think it is best for Brayden, benfit you, and be easier on me.
I am in a very stable environment now. Living with my aunt and uncle and nephew in Florida. I've got almost all day every day to spend with Brayden until I work at around 4pm to 9. While I'm at work, my aunt can watch him for me. She's a stay at home mother of Noah, my six year old nephew. I'm with family. Believe me, as much as you may not agree, I have a very good family. My father, had a lot of latent issues, and made decisions which really weren't very good. He had appearently been alienating us from everyone else in our family. Not giving us cards and gifts mailed to us by them, not mentioning family reunions and turning down invitations. He talked to them regularly, but lied about us not being able to do things, see them, etc. He lied about his money situation. He had taken his father's identity and opened up a credit card; leaving over $36,000 on the balance owed; all while his father gave him over $122,000 in the six years we lived in Myrtle. That is the reason why family didn't care to come see him, or talk to me; they either didn't know, or they didn't care because they thought we didn't care. Dad constantly lied to me, Claire, and mom. When things got bad with him in the last month I was at his house, Ben and Carol-Ann immediately took me in, and helped me. You would have no reason to worry about him being around them because they are genuine and good people. We are in a 5 bedroom house, with a play-room, is modern, and has a pool with a baby gate around it. You would have absolutely nothing to worry about with his environment.
For Brayden, it would it would be very good for him. He would be able to spend a good amount of time with me, and we can adjust that in the future if we feel the adjustment is benificial. He would build a father-son relationship with me much better. If I have to see him in Tennesee, I would not be able to see him very often at all, and not for very long. In Florida, he and I can establish and build a meaningful father-son relationship through quality time. You would have more time to spend alone with Ricky, can have some time to unwind, save up extra money not needed on his stuff while he's away.
I think if you really think about it, this is the best way to go. I know it will be hard for you; but remember, he will be with his father. Things may not have worked out between us; but at every moment when it came to Brayden, I was always there; and you know I'm good with him. I did everything I could while you were in the hospital on that magnesium, while he was in NICU, and even afterwards. I wasn't able to watch him as much as I would have liked to, but at the time, I could barely afford food for myself; I couldn't afford the gas to pick him up and drop him off as much as I wanted too so bad, and unfortunately at the same time, you couldn't afford to come drop him off with me or pick him up. It was rough for both me and you. But you know I'm great with him, and you know that I love him. You know that I would take good care of him, help raise him, and wouldn't let anything happen to him. We may not have an established father-son relationship, but we would build it. I care about him, I love him, he is my son.