Welcome to a very special Friendship Friday. Today is my brother-in-law Jim’s birthday! Everyone wish him a happy birthday! As you can see, just a few weeks ago he was receiving a kiss from his baby girl, my niece Stephanie, before she was married to Shane. You can read his story here, but this isn’t about that day, this is about Jim, and all that he has meant to me over the 27 years that he has been married to my sister, Robin.
Jim has a big heart and a funny personality. Not a day goes by when I see him when he isn’t cracking a joke about something, and that personality trait has been passed on to his kids as well. In addition to that, though, Jim is mostly a soft-spoken person — although, let me tell you, he can make his point well-known when he needs to!
Some of my best memories from my later teenage years were from the time Robin and Jim were married. In the blink of an eye, gone was the crabby older sister — and boy, do I mean OLDER — so Jim, if for nothing else, thank you for marrying my sister so she would move out! In fact, I’ve often said that Robin and I didn’t appreciate one another or become friends until she got married, so thank you Jim for that also!
When they first got married, Jim had the unfortunate circumstance of knowing that their first home, a townhouse, was about a block from our home. After they got settled in, it became normal for all of us to spend some early evenings playing Monopoly, Spades, or other games after dinner. I had fun during those times, I hope Jim did too!
Brett was born about a month after Robin and Jim celebrated their first wedding anniversary, Leslie two years later, and Stephanie, two years later after that! It was around this time that Jim and Robin bought their house in Round Hill, and they were able to get away from my parents some!
I’ve known Jim for all of these years, and now that I’m a parent, I’ve learned a few things from Jim. When Sophie was first born, she hated burping after eating (now, not so much — just kidding!)
I’ll never forget watching Jim hold Sophie — itty bitty little Sophie, for what felt like an hour at least, just gently massaging her back, when all of a sudden she burped!
I’ll also never forget the one and only time I ever babysat Brett as a baby — boy oh boy, what a mess did I make with Brett’s diaper! Jim was closer to home, so he came home and bailed me out.
Now that Sophie is getting older, she doesn’t seem to need us as much, and before I know it, the day will come when Sophie is kissing me on the cheek just like Stephanie kissed her Daddy. Jim, when that day comes, count on me to come calling on you for advice!
Jim, I hope you have a great birthday! Give all the kids a hug and kiss for us, and say hi to the newlyweds!
My friend Heidi is the inspiration behind the Friendship Friday series for me! She even lets me link up with her site each week! Click on the image below to see what friend she is highlighting today, and thanks for stopping by!
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What a great tribute to Jim! He sounds like a great brother-in-law to have – sounds like you have a lot of fun together as a family! What a blessing!
Thanks Heidi!
What a great tribute, thanks so much! I read it to him as he ate his breakfast, and confess I got a little choked up. Thank you so much Mike!
My pleasure, Sis! Have a great weekend!