What a Gift!

 

Bekah’s favorite day has made its way around the calendar again.  It’s her favorite day for two reasons. 

1.  It’s her birthday!  

2.  It’s the one day out of every year that I, Ryan, write the blog.  As much as she loves to write it daily (which she has for 18 years and hasn’t missed a day in 13 years! With, of course, the exception of her birthday for the last few years...) she does enjoy letting me take over her keyboard once a year. 

Today is the day we get to celebrate her!  I’m sure you know by now she is a lover of celebrations.  So, celebrate with me, won’t you?   

We have heard from so many that your birth was THE BIRTH heard around the world, because you were the surprise child for two parents in their 40’s on Mother’s Day.  Boy, am I thankful for that surprise!  I think they would admit that too…now.  You have honored them well over the years and especially in this season of their lives.  What a gift!   

You have been the best surprise in my life.  You are the surprise I never expected and don’t know what I would do without.  Your smile, your laugh, your stories, your quirks, your beauty, your love for Christ, your nerdiness, your organization, your creativity, your boldness, and your love for study are all things that I love about you.  I have seen many of these things grow so much during our years together and it strengthens my desire to love you even more.  What a gift! 

You are so wise, a great friend, a wonderful listener, an obedient prayer warrior, and a fantastic encourager.  People of all ages trust you with your words when they need them most, including me.  You speak truth in a way that helps to calm people and give them hope.  I’ve seen and experienced that firsthand many times lately.  Thank you for caring for others in such wonderful ways.  What a gift!

You’re a wonderful teacher from the platform, in a small group and one on one.  I watch people listen to you and crave more.  Your teaching style is rare, as you are able to grab people’s attention and they are able to push out the distractions from the world.  I watch them as they scribble notes and lean in to grasp all that you say.  What a gift!    

You’re a great storyteller and preserver of memories.  I love to hear you tell stories and read about all our memories in the 100+ scrapbooks you have made during our marriage!  I have the privilege of traveling and living with you, so I get to hear your stories all the time (I guarantee right now she is shaking her head and saying "I’M SORRY”).  And let me tell you they never get old!  I can listen to them over and over and they make me laugh every time.  Even when I read them, I can hear your voice in my head, and it still makes me laugh out loud.  Thank you for always putting yourself out there, not taking yourself too seriously, and for sharing your gift of storytelling with everyone.   What a gift!  

There are many areas of life where we are very similar and many areas where we are so very different, and I love it!  I love how God makes us all different and gives us different gifts.  There are so many days that I am blown away by your gifts.  Gifts that I don’t have.  Gifts that you have been intentional about using to glorify Him.  Gifts that are a blessing to others because you are here.  What a gift!  

Bekah, it’s your birthday, but you are the gift.  You are a wonderful gift to me and so many more.  I look forward to celebrating you today!  Life with you is pure joy and I am grateful for each day with you!  

You. Are. Loved. 

Happy Birthday my Sweet Bekah!