March 17, 2008
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Happy 25th birthday to the Jordanmeister
HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY TO THE JORDANMEISTER
My son’s birthday is the day after St. Patrick ’s Day. I believe this to be a huge cosmic joke resulting in Jordan having to spend every birthday of his adult life with a hangover.
Tomorrow my son turns 25 (Jordan, please remember that green beer only tastes good going down.)
This seems completely impossible. Even as I type this, my fingers are having a difficult time putting together that particular combination of “2” and “5.”
For me, this can only mean that death is imminent, but that’s ok, because I can die a happy man. I can die a happy man because my son has become everything I have ever dreamed he would be and a thousand things I didn’t have the imagination to dream.
His childhood couldn’t have been easy. Growing up a minister’s kid is not a walk in the park. All eyes are on you, and they never look away. When Jordan was five we became house parents at a home for unwed pregnant teenagers. Between his fifth and eight birthdays, Jordan lived with approximately 80 pregnant teenagers.
The chances of him being mentally and emotionally stable now are so small they cannot even be calculated, and yet, astonishingly, he is.
When Jordan was eleven he stood by my side through my divorce, and through me leaving the ministry. For much of that time he had to be the adult. He kept me grounded and whether he realizes it or not, he really saved my life. That’s a lot for an eleven year old to handle.
Since then he’s accumulated an accomplishment or two along the way. Allow me to brazenly and unashamedly brag:
- During his senior year he was nationally ranked in the top ten high school debaters in the United States.
- He graduated from Baylor with a 4.0 GPA and was named outstanding graduating senior in the University.
- He is currently teaching at Baylor while he finishes his PhD in neuroscience.
- He is happily married to the world’s greatest Daughter in Law and he is a very good husband.
- He runs marathons to raise money for blood cancer research.
- He is the hairiest human being on the planet meaning he possesses more testosterone than Chuck Norris.
- He brews really great beer.
My favorite thing about my son may be that he is an even bigger smart ass than I am, and while it may be an odd thing to say, this truly warms my heart.
So happy 25th my son! And remember Jordan, drink lots of water and take two aspirin before you go to bed tonight.
Here are few current pictures of the Jordanmeister:
Comments (21)
He sounds like a pretty phenomenal person.
Happy Birthday to Jordan! My oldest turned 25 in December. Does this mean we are ::gasp:: old?
Your son has accomplished a lot, and he appears to have a great personality, too! Be proud, dad!
RYC: LOL!!!! They should hire you to do their advertising!
Kathi
Happy Birthday to Jordan and congratulations to Dad. There is nothing we will do in life more important than raising a good kid. I hope you both enjoy the day.
Happy Birthday to Jordan! He sounds like a truly remarkable person, and you have every reason to be proud. Especially about him being a bigger smart ass than you! Love the photos of him.
Well, a huge happy birthday to Jordan! He sounds awesome. But then, how could he not be, with a dad as cool as you?
Happy 25th to Jordan. He is just a few months younger than our oldest GRANDson.
By way of coincidence, we have a nephew who is a professor at Baylor. Teaches business ethics. He got his PhD while teaching at Sam Walton Business School at the U. of Arkansas. Very nice guy. He had a choice at teaching at many universities, but chose Baylor because it is a Christian school. Marty will be back here in Wisconsin this summer to run the Green Bay Marathon—but will be doing the 1/2 marathon. So a couple similarities between Jordan and Marty. Marty is single, though, much to his parents’ dismay!! lol
Oh, forgot one—–Marty is a “Preacher’s Kid”, too!!
Unlike you, I happen to think that living with 80 preggers probably taught your son more about life and being normal than you imagine… and the fact that his father is refreshingly honest probably helped too. Being a true smartass is a gift from God, thank him on both of your behalves (is that a word?). Pat yourself on the back, Dad and give that great young man a big sloppy!
Happy BD to a great kid and his awesome dad.
Ya’ll look like brothers.
A very Happy Birthday to your Jordan !! (And if the bed’s really spinning, that old foot on the floor trick really does work. Or so I’ve heard.) You’re a few months younger than I, and Jordan is a few months younger than my Jen – don’t tell me you were originally married in 1978.
aww, you are such an awesome dad =) jordan is very lucky
I never noticed it before but I think deep down under all that “hair”…he looks alot like you!! Hope he has a great birthday. You should be very proud.
HAppy Borthday Jordan…and congrats Dad for raising a great son! My oldest will be 10 shortly…I can’t imagine 25.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JORDAN! What a wonderful tribute to your son. The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Happy Birthday Jordan!
Happy birthday and warm wishes to all.
Happy Birthday, Jordan! I would love to hear his green beer stories about living with 80 pregnant teenage females!!!!!
Happy B’day to Jordan. btw he doesn’t look all that hairy – my #1son has peruvian guinea pigs growing under his arms. Good job on producing a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience!
Happy B-day to Jordan!!!One awesome Dad = One awesome son!!!!
You ROCK!!!
Smiles!!!
He looks like a lot of fun and I can tell you’re very proud of him.
Nice blog. Think I’ll drop by here more often.