Heart of Beckett

UPDATE (8/11/13)

Happy Anniversary, Leah! Seven years ago, today, I said “I love you”, for the very first time, to the woman of my dreams. I often share this story by saying, “One year later, I then married her before she could change her mind!” It’s amazing what all can happen in a few short years. We met, got married, moved to Illinois, lived in a basement during our first year of marriage, I worked my “first career” out of that basement that entire first year, she finished up her undergraduate degree, moved to Michigan, we worked one more summer at the camp we met at, then moved to Detroit with no job lined up to help start a church, lived in my sister and brother-in-law’s basement, I began raising financial support to work at the church, Leah found a job AND went back to school for another undergrad degree, I juggled 4 part-time jobs to maintain my commitment at the church, got accepted into grad-school, found out Leah was pregnant, moved to Indiana (Leah’s hometown…sixth address since we’ve been married), was blessed with an amazing son…..and here we are 7 months later, still with a son, still with an amazing wife….what could I possibly complain about?!

“Life” sometimes doesn’t seem fair, but “fair” is not an objective term…it’s subjective, it’s relative. Take a few proverbial steps back, and do as my mother always tells me….”Count your blessings, son.” Wise words. Yeah, sometimes life gets hard….I feel as if I may have earned the merit over these past few months in particular to say that (to a certain extent), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fair. Allow those “unfair” situations to illuminate that which you should be thankful for; keep pliable to the stretch-marks of perspective, and never compromise your values.

As I was saying, I am amazingly blessed. Today is my six year anniversary in marriage to Leah, and though I did not get to spend it with her, I assure you that Beckett and I celebrated this day in our own way together. He was a hoot once again today. He slept a lot, but when he was awake, we played together, just talked to one another, I played guitar for him (let him try to strum a time-or-two), rocked him back to sleep (multiple times), and just held in my arms what would never have been if Leah wouldn’t have said “I do” six years ago today!

Thank you Leah for loving me, and giving me one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. Your love is not expected or deserved, it’s freely given…everyday (and to ME, none-the-less). You truly are a special woman, and even more-so, an amazing mother! Happy Anniversary, Love. May we celebrate many many more!

#GoBeckett
#ODAAT

— with Leah ‘Whiteley’ Rupp at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.