Ever since we’ve moved up to the gorgeous state of Oregon, a new tradition has started for my Father’s day; we all go to find a river or stream so I can sit with my feet in the water. It’s simple, I get to spend time with Dawn and Ian, and it gets us out in nature. Kind of perfect.
This year we went to the Smith Homestead day use area in Tillamook Forest. Previous times we’ve gone it was relatively quiet with very few people around. This year was a little different; we went on Saturday, the day before Father’s Day and with things starting to open back up there were a ton of people there. No worries though, still got out in nature, still got to spend time with Dawn and Ian, and still got to sit with my feet in the water.
Then on Sunday, we started off with a nice quiet morning at home followed by a Portland Thorns game! With things finally starting to open up, proof of vaccination for entry, and the attendance up to 80%, I was really excited to go cheer on the team with our Rose City Riveters family!
So good to hear that many of us.
One Goal Beyond!!!
It was a great Father’s Day weekend and I am so grateful for everything we have in our lives. Love you Dawn and Ian – I’m a lucky daddy.
He has completed both the Computer Science Pathway and Engineering Pathway for Project Lead The Way. He also is finishing his high school career having taken 5 AP classes including AP Physics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus AB. The shawl he wore was for High Honors in Computer Science, and cords for 5 or more AP classes, the Engineering Pathway, and first in family to go to a four year college.
To say we’re proud of him would be an understatement; Dawn and I are in awe of him. Ian has been an exceptional student, has worked hard, and it shows.
He’s always been our computer kid and has decided the first degree he pursues is in Cybersecurity at Oregon Tech.
Family and friends flew in and we got to celebrate our Ian all weekend.
On Friday, we watched the senior awards live-stream with family and friends.
As the head of the computer science program at his school started talking about the program, and about one student who “was methodical at his learning, including each programming language they worked on, and excelled every year he was in the program”, Dawn and I knew he had to be talking about our Ian – and he was! Ian won the award for the entire computer science division of his graduating class. So proud of him.
Later that evening, we went and picked up Grandpa and Grandma from PDX.
Yep – Dawn and I definitely teared up hearing our Ian’s name called as we watched him cross the stage.
Keeping with Dawn’s family tradition, Ian was presented with Hawaiian leis, including a money lei! (that one was his favorite)
Dawn decorated the cars of course as well!
Later that evening we hung out at home for him to open his cards, then went out to Topaz Farm for dinner
On Sunday, we had a fantastic Graduation Party for the dude with friends and family – we’re thankful to everyone who was able to show up to celebrate Ian! The weather didn’t cooperate and it rained for most of the day, but it was still a great time.
Monday morning we dropped off Mom and Dad at PDX. So happy to be able to spend time with them, it’s been too long.
Then we drove Deb and Elmer out to Multnomah Falls, then Superpine Drive-In for some treats.
“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”
— William Makepeace Thackeray
In my life, I have been fortunate enough to know, and be loved by, some incredible women. I know that many of their efforts have been what turned me into the person I am.
My Wife has been the pillar of every success I’ve had for more than half of my life now. I am also fortunate enough to call her my best friend.
My Mom showed me what family means.
My Grandma showed me what unconditional love really is.
Driving home the other night, I looked over at my wife as I have countless times in the past. Again, I realized how fortunate I am to be able to do so. She’s been there for nearly everything I can remember from my life.
I am not great at being romantic, but I try. I am not great at surprises, but I try. Heck, I’m not even sure I am great at paying enough attention, but I give it my best. I must be doing something right since I can still look over and see this beautiful women next to me.
Xmas 1992
We met when we were 17 years old. Two young goth kids with shared interests in music, clothes, and sense of humor that fell in love very quickly. We have been inseparable ever since.
I still remember the first few concerts (of the 100’s) that we have attended together. Sisters of Mercy at Irvine Meadows; luckily we had friends with cars as neither of us drove yet. Front 242 in Hollywood; first time we had driven alone to Los Angeles, and easily still the loudest concert either of us have attended. I thought I would be permanently deaf when we walked out of the venue.
Our wedding 1997
Years later, I was lucky enough to convince her that we should be married. We had an amazing wedding attended by family and friends at our favorite restaurant.
I remember a comment that one of our friends made a few weeks after the wedding regarding our first dance:
“It was so intimate that I felt like I was intruding, the way you looked at one another.”
All we could do was smile.
We shared a number of years of marriage bliss. Concerts, having friends over, Comic Cons, horror conventions, and a couple trips to other parts of the country.
Being goofy together at Comic Con
Our similar interests provided a solid foundation for our lasting relationship. Luckily we also have always had enough dissimilar interests to keep it interesting.
In 2003 we added an amazing little man to our little family. Trips to Disneyland quickly became a family favorite.
As the years progress, our weekends become a time of coaching soccer, being a team mom, and owning a minivan. Hacker Guild meetings, cleaning, and random adventures. Life changes.
Throughout all this, we still know how to party! Every year, on our favorite holiday, (the one we based our wedding date around to enable us to be in New Orleans for Halloween) she throws a wonderful party. As with anything that turns out well with the three of us, she is the driving force, I’m there to help.
She has never ceased to amaze me. I am in awe of how much she can accomplish, and will always be the first to tell you, any of our successes as a married couple, and as a family, are a direct result of her efforts. I’m just lucky to be able to have her call me husband.
This weekend we celebrate 17 years of marriage. Our vows to one another are now as old as we were when we first met. I can proudly say I have been married to my best friend for more than half my life.
I’m still a goof, she is still my constant reason to do my best.
The big man decided this year he wanted a Minecraft LAN party. 10 crazy people jammed together in the living room, armed with Wi-Fi, laptops, and plenty of snacks. It got a bit loud from time to time (as you can imagine) but it was a lot of fun. Dawn and I ever had time for a few games of chess in the kitchen. Ian had a great time with his buddies.
