A belated happy birthday to my most favorite guy, who has spent countless Labor Day weekends and birthdays at his family's idyllic West Texas ranch in his thirty years of life.
(He shares his birthday with his cousin Ben's sweet fiance Amanda, so I'm sure this won't be the last ranch co-celebration!)
As his birthday falls the day before our anniversary, Sept. 1 (also known in Texas as the first day of dove season), I have since had the pleasure of celebrating quite a few anniversaries and birthdays at the ranch myself. I can think of no more fitting place to close out his twenties, where countless family Christmases, birthdays, weddings have been celebrated over the past 100 years, and where many babies before Eliza (a sixth generation) have been proudly introduced to their heritage for the first time. The name Eliza comes from both sides of our family; on his side it came from way up on his family tree, to his great great grandmother, whose four daughters were left the Kritser Ranch in the early 1900s. He was so excited to show her around this special, historic family place that is so close to his heart, and we couldn't have ordered up more perfect weather to do so.
Nicholas' first trip to the Kritser Ranch was when he was just two weeks old, so Eliza had some catching up to do. We took her out to Lake Jack for a picnic under the trees, just as his parents did with him some 30 years ago.
(He shares his birthday with his cousin Ben's sweet fiance Amanda, so I'm sure this won't be the last ranch co-celebration!)
As his birthday falls the day before our anniversary, Sept. 1 (also known in Texas as the first day of dove season), I have since had the pleasure of celebrating quite a few anniversaries and birthdays at the ranch myself. I can think of no more fitting place to close out his twenties, where countless family Christmases, birthdays, weddings have been celebrated over the past 100 years, and where many babies before Eliza (a sixth generation) have been proudly introduced to their heritage for the first time. The name Eliza comes from both sides of our family; on his side it came from way up on his family tree, to his great great grandmother, whose four daughters were left the Kritser Ranch in the early 1900s. He was so excited to show her around this special, historic family place that is so close to his heart, and we couldn't have ordered up more perfect weather to do so.
Nicholas' first trip to the Kritser Ranch was when he was just two weeks old, so Eliza had some catching up to do. We took her out to Lake Jack for a picnic under the trees, just as his parents did with him some 30 years ago.
That is his grandmother painting en plein air. We weren't quite that relaxed as the dogs were running in and out of the water like little the little outdoors-deprived monsters they are these days...not lounging quite so peacefully as the pup above.
Miller and I have been together for nine years of our twenties, so in many ways we've grown up together. I've watched as he grew from the sweet and scruffy, good-timing frat boy into the more responsible (but no less good-timing, when appropriate) husband, lawyer, father, friend who remains one of the kindest men I'll ever know. His spontaneous sense of adventure and good-natured, easy going spirit are undaunted by the new challenges that come with having a new little one in tow. Rather than give her the world, he can't wait to show it to her. Put simply, I cherish him now more than ever at thirty, with a distinguished twinge of salt and pepper in his hair and that same sparkle when he smiles, a smile our daughter shares. I cherish that too.
Miller and I have been together for nine years of our twenties, so in many ways we've grown up together. I've watched as he grew from the sweet and scruffy, good-timing frat boy into the more responsible (but no less good-timing, when appropriate) husband, lawyer, father, friend who remains one of the kindest men I'll ever know. His spontaneous sense of adventure and good-natured, easy going spirit are undaunted by the new challenges that come with having a new little one in tow. Rather than give her the world, he can't wait to show it to her. Put simply, I cherish him now more than ever at thirty, with a distinguished twinge of salt and pepper in his hair and that same sparkle when he smiles, a smile our daughter shares. I cherish that too.
To the man who takes such wonderful care of us, you are better than ever at thirty, and we love you ever so much. Happy birthday!
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