St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just an Irish celebration for us. It’s Nathan’s birthday. My non-social media husband won’t be getting messages on Facebook or Twitter today. But I am here with a flood of photos of him from the past year to reflect on all that he means to us. And we are spending a family fun day together before wrapping up a sunny vacation.
Like every year though, someone will ask today the question he gets every year, “So, are you Irish, since it’s your birthday today?”
It makes us laugh every time. But people ask.
Disney World had a birthday cupcake waiting for Nathan yesterday at Starring Roles in Hollywood Studios. The. Best. Desserts. Ever. We might need to grab another one or two or five of those cupcakes today to celebrate our St. Patrick’s Day non-Irish guy.
Before we begin our birthday party, we must first honor and reflect on all that Nathan is to us.
He’s a brother to Dr. Lori.
A fun-loving daddy.
A daddy that likes to fish.
A daddy that loves his dog child, Charlie.
A daddy that puts his family first.
Nathan is a daddy who made the decision seven years ago to move home to work alongside his own daddy every day.
It was a big decision and a decision he doesn’t regret. Together Nathan and his dad work long hours. They work hard together but together they have grown their family business for a next generation.
The next generation stands alongside Nathan and are proud of him. 
Nathan carves out time for family. He decided a couple years ago we needed a getaway place. So just miles from our home we now have a prairie getaway where we spend hours by the campfire on summer evenings. 
Nathan is inclusive not exclusive. He makes time to include our kids in his everyday moments.
He is a superb vacation planner, giving us time together and memories we will cherish for a lifetime. 
But most importantly, Nathan has solid faith that leads us all. He is firm in who he is and what he believes. He doesn’t stray from it.
He is loyal, always by our side.
He is confident and instills that confidence in all of us. He’s always there to back you up when you fall and helps us all get back up and try again.
Despite the rigors of running a family business and juggling a hectic schedule, Nathan always has time for a family meal. No phone calls or technology at the table. It’s about food and family. He looks everyone in the eye and asks them genuine questions about their days.
He has a way of making us all feel special and loved.
For that, we love him even more.
He is a constant.
The one I lean on.
Our family man with solid faith who loves us all unconditionally and gives us an example to follow.
He built us a house and made it our home on the prairie. He is a cornerstone of our family and home.
Together we are all better because of Nathan.
Happy Birthday to our favorite non-Irish, St. Patrick’s Day born daddy and husband!
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