My burly protector and love of my life, Bron, turned 30 on Friday!
Let me repeat that: Bron turned thirty. It seems a little surreal--for me anyway. I mean, I remember when thirty was old! It certainly doesn't feel that way anymore. At all. I still feel about eighteen. But then again, I still have thirteen months until I cross that thirty year old threshold... so who knows. Thirty isn't old, is it? I remember my mom turning thirty! Very strange. Where did the time go?
Bron, on the other hand, is handling his new number with much more grace. To him, age is just a number; he's determined to stay young at heart. Bron sees his thirties as an extension of his twenties-or the last two years of it anyway. He'll continue pursuing his career, raising young children, and squeezing in as much fun and adrenaline as possible (aka biking and skiing). And I have to agree with him: it's going to be a busy but very fun blur of a decade.
So to celebrate my husband's milestone, I threw a party! Woot! Woot! An all you can eat cookies and milk and friends kind of party. Unfortunately, many of our friends have sick kids and were unable to make it, (Thanks for keeping your diseases to yourselves, by the way. It's much appreciated. But we missed you!) so it wasn't the crazy house full of people I'd envisioned, but it turned out anyhow: Bron and his buddies finally had a chance to catch up and plan this summer's big mountain bike ride in the White Mountains. So I'm calling it a success.
Also, a giant thank you to all those who took the time to write a quick favorite memory/favorite characteristic about Bron. I printed them all out and taped each memory on every surface around the house. I wish you all could have seen the smile on Bron's face. He sure felt the love. And it just reaffirmed to me what an all around great guy Bron is.
Happy Birthday Bron! The boys and I are lucky to call you ours. I am sure glad you were born!
^^It was also supposed to be an ugly sweater party too... except I kind of like this thrift store find!^^
^^Trying on Bron's new ski helmet^^
^^Feeling a little embarrassed as we sang to him^^
^^Way to chug that milk, Levi!^^
^^Dani, myself, and Mindy wearing our "ugly" sweaters.^^
Now go have yourself a very Merry Christmas!
We are busting at the seems with excitement over here. I may just cry when it's all over. Maybe. All I know is that with Jed and Levi around, it's going to be the best Christmas yet! I don't want the magic of the season to end.
The Messages from Friends and Family to Celebrate Bron:
Heidi Thurgood -- BIGGEST smile ever as a baby, also his adorable red hair. Grandpa used to sneak a few m&m's to Bron from his secret stash, I was convinced it was because of his hair, and knowing how much grandpa loved red hair.
Trudy Kelley -- What I appreciate most about Bron is that he loves you, Jessie! He is a devoted husband and father and would do anything for you and his boys, Jed & Levi. That means the world to me.
Tyson Coles -- Bron and I had great times together in high school. From football to golf, we hung out quite a bit and had a lot of good times. I cant remember anything from high school without him or my other friends being there. Good times all around, we all grew up on farms and worked hard, but we played just as hard. Happy birthday man.
Mari Fotheringham -- Bron is the best spent the 4th of July watching the Tour de France & a hot dog eating contest & made it seem like the best time he's ever had
Heather Gauthier -- I remember that Bron was on the A team doing catheters...maybe he just had a good nurse, Roxanne Clark , but either way I was jealous...I wanted to be on that team! Happy 30th Bron!
Jay Larsen -- Random water fights in our apt and letting me help feed cows. I've always been amazed at your firmness in life and the gospel and your compassion for others. Happy bday!!
Kim Rhodes -- Travis says he is always late!! I'm sure he has more he just has to think for a bit.
Chelsea Whitehouse -- How hard Bron works, but always keeps a smile on his face and jokes around with those around him. Happy Birthday!!!
Neal Georgia -- His shoes used to never be tied, He had every reference to milk underlined in his scriptures, He loved to sleep in when given the chance, and was always a pretty good friend.
Nick Raiger -- He always has a brown line across his teeth after a long mountain bike ride from grinning. watching him dance around after rubbing purel into a big scrape in his leg was pretty funny too. Over all he is one of my best friends and is always there when needed.
Roxanne Clark -- I remember a lot of Saturday's in the barn feeding cows (or just a lot of barn work together since we both lived so close!). We were always able to joke around but still get the work done. I also remember the cook outs, holiday meals, game nights, trips to creamie's, etc that we used to all do as a group. We always had a great time! I miss those times!
Dustin Nelson -- One of the happiest babies I've ever seen. I did have to change a few diapers though.....that's when I realized that Bron was full of ..........! Don't know if that's changed.
Cassie Lovell -- when he brought me pizza at college for lunch just to chat, and milking cows haha... I think he just like to laugh at how rediculous I was. love you guys!
Hailie Fife Day -- I had a lot of fun with Bron when we were in the branch! Planning crazy activities or just hanging out with everyone! He was always good for a laugh and has such a kind heart!!!
Lauren Thompson -- Well of course our most memorable time together was being lost for 5 hours in 120 degree weather!! I love how Bron is active and is always up for an adventure! Also, he's very loving and he's easy to talk to
Elizabeth Wade -- He doesn't look like it but he is a true athlete. He is amazing and continues to impress me. He is very family oriented and is a good husband and father. Moreover, I think he is my favorite son in law because he has never sent me a photo of a rat like the other one Don Thompson!!!!
Tyrel Nelson -- One night, he was asleep and i told my buddies that I could go in jump airborne on top of him and he wouldn't wake up. I did it and sure enough. No change in his sleep pattern.
Tyrel Nelson -- 5 years and he was at our family reunion and wanted to be big and tell a story. A duck and a skunk lost their moms and didn't know what they were. So the duck says to the skunk, what am I. The duck says you are yellow and have a bill, you must be a duck. The skunk then says what am I and the duck says you are not black and you are not white. You must be a Mexican. He laughed but nobody else did. I am sure that he heard it on the playground and had no idea it was racist. Great memory.
Tyrel Nelson -- He was trying to get 2 bales of straw down that were frozen to a shed with the tractor fork, in the process of doing this he did get the bales and ripped part of the tin off the shed as well. Classic. I could go on and on and never stop laughing. He is a great brother and a great friend. I hope we can always get along and become 2 old men sitting our porches wit tiling wood and drinking lemonade. And if there is time eating all the pistachio nuts that we could get cracked open. Another great memory.
Flint – Remembers when Bron was little and was to spray the navel of a newborn calf with iodine. He must have had the handle turned around because he ended up spraying himself in the face. Ouch! He also remembers how Bron would like to hide out and listen (easedrop) to the grownups talk instead of hanging out with the little kids. It was funny, we would catch him sitting on the stairs where we couldn’t see him, listening. It must be where he got his gift of gab.
Merri Sue - My favorite memory is waiting for him to get off the plane from his mission to Russia. I kept waiting and watching for my “boy”, when low and behold a big ole Russian Bear appeared (my Bron). I was never so happy. It still brings tears to my eyes. I will never forget the big bear hug I got from my handsome son. You were the cutest little boy. I loved your red hair and big long long eyelashes. You are always so thoughtful and kind to me. I Notice! Thanks for loving me so. Happy 30th! I love you Bron. Mom
Garret and Talon remember sitting at the kitchen table and looking out the window seeing Bron driving down the lane. Then he slowly started driving off the road and into the ditch, tipping his truck into the ditch, all because he was reading the mail (a letter from his girl).
Talon also remembers Bron going with Tyrel to get farm supplies in town. Tyrel waited in the truck while Bron went into the store. Out Bron came with the supplies & “Peach Rings”. Bron just said “well they are farm supplies too!”
Kaleb remembers the long talks with Bron until 2 a.m. when he would come home to visit. Kaleb still looks back on them and reflects. He learned a lot from Bron. He also will always remember and cherish the times Bron would pull them around on sleds behind his snowmobile. Good times.
Call enjoyed it so much when Bron would take him to Brouliums & they would get bread sticks and pop. Yum!. No reason, Bron just wanted to be nice to his little bro. Also Bron made a great jungle gym. Call loved climbing on him when he was little.
