Thirty-seven years ago today at 2:25 pm, the future love of my life was coming into this world at a hospital in Denver. John’s family was getting ready to move to Huron, South Dakota, so his mom underwent induction. His three older sisters waited anxiously to meet him on the street below. Younger siblings were not allowed into the hospital room back then, so John’s mom got to spend some quiet time with her newborn son before introducing him to the world. I suspect that was the last of their quiet time together.
His first weeks were a whirlwind of movement. He took his first airplane ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota when he was just 1 week old. From there, he spent a week with his Grandma B. in Parkston, SD and then onto Dante, SD for a week with his Grandma Irene. Then onto his new home in Huron.
His parents agree that he was a good baby; he slept, ate, cried and was content to be wherever he was taken. John’s mom says that was a blessing in all the transition, and that John was and continues to be a joy in her life.
When asked to share stories about John as a baby and growing up, John's parents responded separately. In both of their responses, they talked about his favorite sleeping position as a baby. John’s mom says he would sleep on his tummy with his fanny sticking into the air. John’s dad says he slept with his ass up in the air humming a mournful tune. Same position, different perspectives.
John's dad could fill hours with stories about John growing up and his adventures - John reportedly kept his family on their toes. In Frank’s own words, here are a couple of great stories about John's early years. I don't know if John has ever heard these before:
When he was just a few weeks old, I was changing his diaper and stuck the bobby pin in his little wiener. He had three sisters before him so I was not used to having to be careful about sticking the bobby pin into anything. I could not figure out why he was fussing when I laid him back down in his crib and gave him his bottle. When I discovered what I had done, I made a vow to myself to never tell him about it. I hope he is not deformed in any way.
When John could barely walk. I took him to his first Cardinal Baseball game in St. Louis. When a foul ball came flying our way I went chasing it and was so happy to retrieve it so I could give it to John. When I returned to our seat, John was nowhere to be seen. He had taken off and got lost in the crowd in the area where they sold refreshments and hot dogs. I about died worrying about him. When I found him he was standing amongst all the people rushing back and forth around him not knowing he was there because he was so small. When he saw me coming, he took off again wanting to play chase. After I caught him and took him back to our seats I held his hand the rest of the game.
From everyone that loves you, Happy Birthday John! I hope your birthday is filled with as much happiness as you bring to my life everyday.
And I can’t let this day pass without wishing you a Happy Father’s Day. It is very appropriate that your birthday falls on Father’s Day. In many ways, the man you are today was born on May 20, 2001 – the day you became a Father. I always suspected you would make a great dad, otherwise I would not have agreed to marry you. You can tell a lot about the type of parent a person will be by watching that person with nieces of nephews, of which you have many, and how that person was raised by his parents (Happy Father’s Day, Frank! Thanks for producing such a great son for me to marry!).
Being a father has brought such a deep love from you. I see it every time I watch you with the boys. They are the light of your life, and you are their hero. I am very lucky to share this day with you, my husband, my best friend, the love of my life, and the greatest father I know.
His first weeks were a whirlwind of movement. He took his first airplane ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota when he was just 1 week old. From there, he spent a week with his Grandma B. in Parkston, SD and then onto Dante, SD for a week with his Grandma Irene. Then onto his new home in Huron.
His parents agree that he was a good baby; he slept, ate, cried and was content to be wherever he was taken. John’s mom says that was a blessing in all the transition, and that John was and continues to be a joy in her life.
When asked to share stories about John as a baby and growing up, John's parents responded separately. In both of their responses, they talked about his favorite sleeping position as a baby. John’s mom says he would sleep on his tummy with his fanny sticking into the air. John’s dad says he slept with his ass up in the air humming a mournful tune. Same position, different perspectives.
John's dad could fill hours with stories about John growing up and his adventures - John reportedly kept his family on their toes. In Frank’s own words, here are a couple of great stories about John's early years. I don't know if John has ever heard these before:
When he was just a few weeks old, I was changing his diaper and stuck the bobby pin in his little wiener. He had three sisters before him so I was not used to having to be careful about sticking the bobby pin into anything. I could not figure out why he was fussing when I laid him back down in his crib and gave him his bottle. When I discovered what I had done, I made a vow to myself to never tell him about it. I hope he is not deformed in any way.
When John could barely walk. I took him to his first Cardinal Baseball game in St. Louis. When a foul ball came flying our way I went chasing it and was so happy to retrieve it so I could give it to John. When I returned to our seat, John was nowhere to be seen. He had taken off and got lost in the crowd in the area where they sold refreshments and hot dogs. I about died worrying about him. When I found him he was standing amongst all the people rushing back and forth around him not knowing he was there because he was so small. When he saw me coming, he took off again wanting to play chase. After I caught him and took him back to our seats I held his hand the rest of the game.
From everyone that loves you, Happy Birthday John! I hope your birthday is filled with as much happiness as you bring to my life everyday.
And I can’t let this day pass without wishing you a Happy Father’s Day. It is very appropriate that your birthday falls on Father’s Day. In many ways, the man you are today was born on May 20, 2001 – the day you became a Father. I always suspected you would make a great dad, otherwise I would not have agreed to marry you. You can tell a lot about the type of parent a person will be by watching that person with nieces of nephews, of which you have many, and how that person was raised by his parents (Happy Father’s Day, Frank! Thanks for producing such a great son for me to marry!).
Being a father has brought such a deep love from you. I see it every time I watch you with the boys. They are the light of your life, and you are their hero. I am very lucky to share this day with you, my husband, my best friend, the love of my life, and the greatest father I know.
Posts
6 comments:
That was really really sweet. I love the stories that dad told! Happy birthday and happy father's day.
What a lovely post. Happy birthday and father's day to John!
Well, was he deformed at all? :) Great post! Happy b-day to John!
IN college John also slept face down and ass up.
Happy Birthday to my good friend and my best man.
Brian
Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.
Awwww. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (and Father's day.) What a sweet post.
Post a Comment