It's hard to believe that Ryan is graduating from high school. In my mind he is still the little boy, on stage at his pre-school Thanksgiving program, singing his heart out. Words cannot express how proud we are of Ryan and all that he has accomplished. Marrying my high school sweetheart has had many benefits for me, but one of the absolute biggest and one that I hold most dear is gaining Ryan as a little brother. I met Ryan when he was just 3 years old, so I have had the privilege of watching him grow into a young man.
From a very early age it was clear that Ryan was a special person. One nickname his mom gave him was "The Senator" because Ryan would go up to anyone and strike up a conversation. To this day, Ryan has never met a stranger. He is truly one of the most caring, thoughtful and genuine people I have ever met in my life.
To know Ryan is to love Ryan. He is the little boy, who walks through the stands at the high school football game, shaking hands and showing everyone how fast he can run and how many push ups he can do. He is the little boy, that at just 4 years old, jumped into the middle of the pep rally and started break dancing while the crowd went wild. He is the little boy, who in little league was the hardest hitter on his team. He is the little boy that after every tackle, he always went over to his opponent, helped him up, patted him on the back and said "you did a great job". He is the little boy, who stood up at our rehearsal dinner and with tears in his eyes said "I have been waiting for this moment my entire life". He is the young man, that has a great sense of humor... when Ryan is around you find yourself smiling more, laughing more. He is the young man that you never have to ask to help, because he already is. He is the young man, that his nieces adore. He is the young man, that his brother adores. He is the young man, that you sit back and watch, knowing he is going to do great things in his life. He is the young man, you thank God for simply allowing you to be a apart of his life.
Ryan has always been such a big part of our lives. In fact, he was a major determining factor in moving back to Dallas from New York. We didn't want to miss out on him growing up and being able to take part in that. Ryan was there, in the waiting room when Dallas was born, and drove after school to see Bliss as soon as he could, telling me when he arrived that nothing was stopping him from meeting his niece. It meant the world to me. During the remodel of our first home, Ryan spent almost the entire summer at our house. Working tirelessly, all day and night alongside his brother who enjoyed every second being around him. Kyle would come up with projects just so he could see more of Ryan. After school started back up Ryan was at our house every weekend helping out. Dallas would look out the window for him on Saturday mornings, so excited that her Uncle Ry Ry was coming. The extra time we were able to spend with Ryan, we will always cherish.
Now he is off on his next adventure, college. I have no doubt that he will continue on to great things.
So to Ryan we want to say, we are so proud of you, we love you so very much and we can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. The sky's is the limit!
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
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