Happy Birthday Dear Jeremy!!!

Dear Jeremy,

Almost nine years ago, I married my best friend and today is your birthday!

Shortly after we got married, we came out to Eastport, where you took a job as the youth pastor of Eastport Bible Church.  Over the years you've spent so much time investing in the lives of students, showing them God's love and pointing them to Christ. 

You've led activities and trips to so many places including:

DCLA in 2003

 DCLA in 2006

30 Hour Famine

 College and Career Group

 DCLA in 2009

Tag at the Beach

Weekly Youth Group

Hershey Park

 Missions Trip to Brazil 2005

(wow, we were young!)

 Puerto Rico 2008

and Puerto Rico 2011... to name a few.

You are the most athletic person that I know, and I admire your many, many sporty skills.

I'm so proud of the ministry that your'e building up with your basketball open gym nights. 

And it's been awesome to see your men's softball skills develop over the years.

I love that you are an amazing Daddy!

You have been there for some of the most important times of our kids' lives, to support them, to encourage them and to love them.  

You're so fun,

And they absolutely love you.

 Thank you for loving them so much!

Thank you for making incredible memories for them too!

Back in the day, a birthday celebration involved college friends,

 And homemade birthday cake.

When we had our first baby, we invested in ice cream cake and celebrated more years with fewer candles.

The presents have gotten better over the years

and so have the decorations.

 And while, each new year that we celebrate your birthday is another year to be thankful for all that God's blessed us with, I'm always reminded to be increasingly thankful for the things that don't change so much as they just keep getting better.  

 I'm thankful for all of your hard work.  Really.  You put in hours that no one will ever know.  But I know, and I'm so thankful to have a husband who is willing to go the extra mile.  

 I'm thankful that you're a Dad who's always there for our amazing kids.

 I'm thankful for all of your superhero powers

 I'm thankful that you're a Dad that takes our sweet little girl out on dates, and shows her what a man who loves and honors God does, so that when she is older, she will know exactly what kind of a guy to look for.

 I'm thankful that you're a good friend to so many.  I'm thankful that you genuinely love others and see how important it is to work to be a light to all of those around you.

 You were my best friend when we got married and you are still my very best friend today.  I love you deeply and cannot imagine what I would do without you.  

I'm so thankful that God brought us together.  I am better because of you.  You are so smart and fun and funny.  I love your tallness, and your smile.  I love that you love apple products and that you have a scooter.  What I love most about you though, is that you love God and work to do His will.     

Happy Birthday Jer!  I thank God for the past 31 years of your life and pray His blessing on many, many more years to celebrate!  Thank you for being you and for doing all that you do!