Day 52: Uncle Rick

Tonight I am writing to you about my awesome Uncle Rick! Rick has walked through many stages of life with my family, and I have become super close to him during the past years we lived in Atlanta.

Rick is my "funny" uncle. Do you ever compartmentalize family members? For instance, Uncle George is my "firefighter and strong" uncle, Uncle Dwight is my "pharmacist and who I go to for medical advice" uncle. Simply put, Rick always makes me laugh. He is witty and has a lot of jokes on hand. He always knows how to cheer me up!

Rick is also a Pastor. He married pretty much everyone in my family, including Drew and me this past summer. He was also the Pastor that baptized me when I was 13 years old. I have been given the privilege of sharing many life defining moments with him and I am very thankful for that.

Rick is also super compassionate. He is tender-hearted and has a supreme understanding for people's situations. Maybe that comes with the Pastor territory, but I think it is specifically how the Lord designed his heart. He feels what others are feeling and is empathetic. He has been there for my family countless times. Over and over again he has prayed with us, cried with us, and joked with us and that is what family is for! We are there for each other, to carry each other when we are too weak to carry ourselves. And that is exactly what Rick has done for us.

Uncle Rick has experienced too many pains in life. He and his family have had to endure more tragic life circumstances than any one should ever have to go through. He has somehow kept his faith in the Lord and joy in life. I certainly know I do not have the strength that he has to endure so many things. It has to be a God-given strength. I respect him so much and look up to him for the way he has survived the curveballs of life. He and his whole family are inspirational.

Uncle Rick,

Thank you for setting a Godly example for Hank and me. You are such a blast to be around and we love you so much. You have always been so funny and such a joy. Your compassion and care for us has been incredible and I am so thankful for it and blessed by it. Thank you for all you have done for you. You are an amazing man with excellent character. I miss you! Hope you are doing well!

Love you,

Mary Beth

This is a picture of Rick marrying us this past June!