Keith was born in a peaceful small town in Northwest Iowa a LONG time ago. Here's a family picture.
Oops, wrong family. Not sure how old you need to be to have watched Leave it to Beaver. (Trivia fact - Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, lived in Keith's hometown for a couple years when he was young.)
Keith (the little one on the floor who's refusing to smile) had a great childhood. Wonderful parents, doting big sister, no chores, and allowed to be a picky eater. He had his appendix out at age 5 and was operated on by a drunk surgeon, which explains his large crooked scar. His broken leg at age 7 taught him why it's not a good idea to ride on the front of your brother's bike.
His purple plaid prom ensemble made him the subject of family jokes for years to come.
He spent four years in the Marines where they didn't cater to picky eaters so learned to eat everything except liver.
We met in 1981 in college but didn't like each other at first. If you're interested you can read here, here, here, and here.
We married in 1984. I like to tell him that I'm the best thing that ever happened to him. We planned to wait 5 years before we had children. Bet you can see where this story is going.
By the time we'd been married five years we had three kids. Don't regret a single one of them but Plan A of me working to put Keith through Seminary went out the window. Instead he worked three jobs and took six years to get a two year degree.
We set a record for the most American people squeezed into a two bedroom basement apartment.
We moved back to Keith's hometown in Iowa in 1995 and added two more arrows to our quiver.
After 13 years in the land of corn and pigs we moved to Northern Wisconsin. We gained a daughter-in-law and someone to be my son's keeper.
And somewhere along the line we grew old but don't entirely remember when that happened.
Happy Birthday Sweetie.
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand who saith, 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!'” - Robert Browning -
Aww...you guys arent old! Happy Birthday Keith! I pray your day is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNice! You should submit that prom pic to shutterfly as they are having an ugly...er, I mean, vintage picture contest:)
ReplyDeleteAnd only in America would you have won the most people squeezed into a two bedroom apt contest---other countries have more than one family in a place that big--perspective is everything!
Hope Keith has a great day.
Me, looking at the top picture. "Is that Dad?"
ReplyDeleteMom, thinking I meant the second picture, "Yes."
Me, still looking at top picture, "Then the top guy is Uncle Neil?"
Mom, realizing my mistake said, "That's a picture from Leave it to Beaver."
Lani and I look at each other. "Who?"
Mom - "You've never heard of Leave it to Beaver?"
Us - "Nope."
Mom giggled.
Anyways, Happy Birthday Pops.
Wow. Just lookin at all of those wonderful photos of you two. A few children, then more and more and more! You have a great love together!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Janet
www.homeward4.blogspot.com
He shares a birthday with my daughter, who just turned 29! Ahh, remember those days? Hope it was a great day!
ReplyDeleteI love those pictures! And your narrative made me giggle more than once!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
That was NOT my prom suit! It was my everyday going to church suit. The prom suit was totally lavender, thank you very much. Oh, I miss the seventies.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteThe plaid suit is just hilarious!
Happy Birthday Keith!!
This is an awesome post! Love your story.
ReplyDelete