Just a Little Pride

Our guest blogger today is our brother-in-law, Jim. He is married to our oldest sister, Hannah. They have three sweet boys.


I would like to talk about Pride. Not in the biblical sense, as in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."

No, this is a different kind of pride. Let's call it the healthy kind. Like, when I grill four steaks and three of them actually turn out edible. Or, when I am successful in convincing my four year old that there is no actual Holiday called "Pantless Tuesday."

Of these healthy types of pride, my favorite is the pride I have in my wife, Hannah. This pride does not come from a selfish or arrogant place. Am I happy that she is beautiful and the girl of my dreams? Sure. To say I'm proud of those things would suggest I had something to do with it. Taking credit, if you will.

My pride is in her successes. The drive, determination and heart she puts into everything she touches. After eight years of marriage, I can be around her for ten minutes and wish I was a better man. On top of that, she has blessed me with three beautiful, smart, healthy and sweet little boys.

The birth of the boys may be of particular interest to some mothers out there. I am amazed to say that she received no pain medication before or during birthing. If you are not equally amazed, then you have never seen the size of my head. I'll give any guys reading a minute to catch up...............ok, get it? Ouch!

Hannah was basically pregnant for four years. During that time, she apparently became bored of being pregnant AND working a full-time job. So, she decided to finish college. Not part-time or online mind you. She took a full load at OSU.

To add a little fun to the mix, we lived in an apartment building with three flights of stairs at an impossible angle and a pitch black parking lot around back. Several times per day, she would carry three babies (one still under construction), two car seats, book bags and diaper duffels down the stairs and load them into the car. She insisted on doing this in one trip because, being a new mom, she was convinced everyone was stalking and plotting to steal her children. Like those Dingos in Australia.

After some time, she set her mind on finding a better place for us to live. In short order, she researched and found a beautiful home that met all our needs. It's the kind of place that can make a guy lazy; attached garage, central air.....ok, that's about all it takes for a man.

Shortly after moving in, I celebrated a birthday. Something in my mid-twenties to early thirties is what I would love to say. I can't tell you how exciting it was to walk into my new garage and find a brand new motorcycle, with a bow on it. She bought me a motorcycle! This article wasn't meant to make me the envy of all married men, but it helps.

She had one more surprise up her sleeve for me. Without ever having the benefit of being around motorcycles in the past, she took and passed her riders training course and is a fully licensed motorcycle license holder. C'mon, that's awesome! She did that for me!

So, why am I proud of my wife? She's a great mother. She holds several college degrees, most recently completing her Masters in Education. She looks at every obstacle as an opportunity to improve her skill set (she taught herself Morse code out of boredom). She has become an expert on all things Real Estate.....etc.

You know, after listing all these things about my wife, I can't figure why she would ever need a slob like me around. Can we keep this between us?

Just kidding. Especially since she will need to proof read this article and show me how to send it out on the FacePage Google machine.

Happy Mother's Day!! I love you, H-Bomb!