This is the day!

It's podcast Tuesday!! We have a special birthday edition of Spill the Beans today...hope you enjoy!

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Guess what day it is?  Not hump day, that’s tomorrow. It’s Bekah’s birthday!!  So you know what that means?  I, Ryan, get my one chance a year to write the blog.  Honestly it’s really best.  Bekah is much better than I could ever come close to, but alas, onward with her birthday tribute. 

Let's start with some fun facts from 1978 (the year of the Bekah birth which is approximately 41 years ago), shall we?

-          My favorite arcade game as a kid was released, Space Invaders.  It was so popular upon its release that by mid-1981, Space Invaders machines had grossed more than four billion quarters.  I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that not a single one of those quarters were Bekah’s. 

-          Neiman Marcus sold an all-chocolate version of Monopoly.  The entire set was edible.  I doubt it would have been difficult to talk her into playing that one.

-          Until 1978, a tennis player was allowed to use absolutely any object as a racket.  I disagree with taking away that rule as I feel it really could have improved my game.

-          Post it Notes were introduced in a marketing campaign in 1978 originally named ‘Post n Peel’ and then sold nationally in 1980 as ‘Post it Notes’.  That is definitely Bekah appropriate.   

-          The Twinkie defense appeared.  Dan White killed Harvey Milk and George Moscone.  The jury agreed that he had diminished mental capacity from eating too many Twinkies.  Whew!  Fortunately that never happened to me when I worked for Hostess.

The young days of Bekah.  Interestingly enough, not much has changed.  Always going somewhere with lots of luggage, a big smile and cute as can be.  

Like all of us, she had a few awkward years, but I won't show you them all.  This is possibility one of my faves though!  The future Mrs. Bekah Shaffer!

As you can see, she improved throughout her high school, collage and young adult (sorry Bek, you're still young) years as she matured into a young woman.  But still no Ryan.  She's got a lot of living to do before I show up.

On to WBCL, where she really came out of her shell and became more aware of the gifts she had to offer.

I could insert about 100 more pictures here, but you may get bored...like Bekah.  I think we're losing her.

Yep.  Gone.

WAKE UP!!  HEHEHE...

I know I've told you all this before, but this girl is amazing.  She spent so much time preparing for marriage and it shows with how she approaches every day.  She's the Godly wife I need in so many ways and loves me way more than I deserve.  I love how she loves the Lord and studies the Word daily.

When we were helping my mother in the last few months of her life, she was so good to help with everything she could (all non-medical, she will be the first to tell you that).  My mother loved her cooking and looked forward to each meal she made.  She loved to sit and talk with Bekah, as she is a great listener and encourager.  Mom would often tell me how happy it made her as a mother that I married such a wonderful woman.  I couldn't agree more!

She's always willing to go the extra mile with me to help those around us.

 Sometimes kicking and screaming...but still goes and has a good time!

I'm so proud of her for trying to eat healthy and work out.  It's really more my thing than hers, but she still wants to be her best.

Which usually looks like this by the time she's done.  No judgment.  You can tells she works hard.

Her smile is contagious, her facial expressions are hilarious and she make me laugh every day...sometimes resulting with coffee coming out my nose!

 

Speaking of coffee...we've had a few of those over the years and are rarely seen without it.  There is nothing better than having coffee together and talking the night away.

Our adventures together have been so fun and might I say interesting at times...

Who could forget the ziplining?  Or even want to??

And you remember the waterfalls?

I'm so happy to be able to celebrate this day with you.  You are blessing to me through all these moments and the memories that go along with them.  I'm so grateful to be able to share with you in conversation over a pot of coffee, enjoying walks together, going on so many adventures, living through the great and hard times and I thank the Lord that I don't have to walk this life alone, but get to enjoy it with you.

Happy Birthday my Love!  This GUY Truly Loves YOU!