Our Man Mark

We found out that our smoke detector needs new batteries. No, not from all of Mark's birthday candles (we didn't even try to jam that many candles on to the stand of cupcakes). Leah decided to try out her strong Southern woman cast iron pan to cook steaks for the birthday boy and proceeded to smoke out the kitchen, dining room and hallway...and no smoke detector beeps/sirens at all. Thankfully, the steaks turned out, the Butterfinger cupcakes were a success, the Pinot Noir flowed and the cast iron pan went back into the cupboard for awhile until Leah is brave enough to try again.

Mark is so easy to please. His birthday weekend included a family dinner (with those smokey steaks), breakfast in bed and a free pass for a lazy morning, Five Guys Burgers & Fries for lunch and a movie date with his girl (splurging on popcorn, Coke-no ice and sneaking in plenty of fun size candy bars). Add in a few rounds of "Happy Birthday" sung by two bright eyed cuties and Mark was a content forty-something (it is getting harder to keep the years straight!).  We love the chance to celebrate Mark, he is always so quick to give the praise and attention to those around him. It feels good to claim a few days just for him.

We love his patient, compassionate heart, his witty sense of humor, his steadfast, authentic faith, his passionate love for his family...how he gives so much of his time, energy and heart to his congregation, how he loves to play Hop on Pop and Star Wars, how cool he looks and sounds behind those drums, how he sneaks into the kitchen to steal a lick out of the baking bowl, how no matter how hard he tries he just can't pick out socks that match his outfit, how a country song about a daddy and daughter on the radio brings on the tears, how he ends every phone call and every walk out the door with "I love you," how he searches the pews to catch Leah's eyes and meets them with a sparkle and smile, how he will only remember to change the batteries in the smoke detector if it is written on a honey-do list, how he will remember every kiss, cuddle and conversation with the kids...how we just can't comprehend a world without Mark as our strong, stable, sweet center, always believing, always loving, always choosing us as his favorite place to be.

Clara summed it up well in the card she dictated to Leah (making sure that the envelope said Mark and not Daddy).


Daddy:
I love you.
I love you really much.
Happy Birthday!
XOXO-Clara