Happy 26th Birthday, Aron!

Aron, it is truly an honor to celebrate your life today. I have been

so excited for this day simply because we get to love you extravagantly in extra-special ways. Your heart, your passion, your joy, your humor, your love, your wisdom, your humility...these have touched not only the kids & me but so many of those near and dear to us. So I thought I'd enlist some help as we highlight in honor of your 26 years...

26 Things We LOVE about you, Aron (in no particular order):

26 "He is a beastly tomahawk thrower, guitar wizard, and wicked at having fun."

*Eli Woollard

25. "1st - your name ROCKS when spoken with a 2 year old's french accent - A-RON!
2nd - Your heart for God and His people is undeniable, un mistakable and beautiful - being called friend by you is TRULY a Blessing!Happy Birthday Aron! We love you!!!!!"
*The Beverly Bunch

24. He is so much fun to be around...a big kid in a man's body.

23. "He is wild at heart, has a passion for his family, friends, & God. He is a great friend & father."

*Josh & Kim Kirk

22. His rockin air guitar solos are almost as good as his real-life shredding (though he'd contest this). And he's game for a late night dance party with the nieces and nephews any day.

21. "Mr. Aron - You are awesome in many ways."

*Kyle Knepper"

20. Aron does what he says he will do.

19. We love Aron because of his sincere faith, humility and talent. I remember meeting him at his Macomb audition. Melva was on the selection team, and after we gave Aron an enthusiastic ‘thumbs-up’ on musical ability, she said “well, he loves the Lord too”. This was a more important criterion, and she was right.

*Kevin Caullay

18. The 'Peanut Butter & Jelly'. If you've ever been to a wedding with Aron, you know what I'm talking about!

17. "We love Aron because he is the luckiest guy in the world because he got to marry one of the 2 greatest girls in the world, and he is turning out great grandkids!"

*Paul Gardner

16. "Aron I have loved you unconditionally since the day you were born.26 years ago today just a little after 4 pm:).Having children of you're own now I am sure you know what I am talking about.I love you're Zest for God,life,family,music. to name just a few.I love the God fearing and loving man you have become. I love you're genuineness,you're integrity,you're sense of humor,you're willingness to serve God.You're dad and I are truly blessed by God to have been given the privilege to have you as our son.We love you more than any words can say and always will .Have a Great and Blessed Day."

*Mom

15. "I love my brother Aron because he cares for me. I know this to be true because no matter how bad I'd screw up or do things that I probably should not be doing, he was always there............to tell on me! Thanks for helping keep me on the staight and narrow..... Happy Birthday... I love ya man."

* Ben Kirk

14. "I love Aron because he has grown to be such a good Christian man who loves his family and takes care of them. And he is just such a good man that I'm proud of!"

*Grandma Howard

13. Aron, you are everything a Godly man should be. And even though I know that you yourself probably don't believe that I want you to know that we love you, I love you. And I am fiercely proud of the ROCK you are and the man you strive to be.

THANK YOU for showing my boys what it looks like to be a godly man, and how to love GOD, your wife, your family, and the church. I am a better woman because you are in my life. And I am infinity thankful and privileged to call you my brother."

* Alyssa Woollard

12. "Aron - If God had blessed me with a son, I would have hoped that he would have grown up to be the kind of man you are - Godly, smart, loving, caring, sensitive, a person with intense integrity. I am so grateful He has allowed our paths to cross. Thanks for being who you are, and for always striving to be who God wants you to be."

*Bernadette Caullay

11. "You are a real, live Prince Charming to our daughter. And you are already the delight of our son."

*Erica Kirk

10. Boil them Cabbage down

Turn them hoecakes round
The only song that I can sing
Is boil them cabbage down

Possum in a Simmon tree
Raccoon on the ground
Raccoon says you son-of-a-gun
Shake some Simmon's down

Boil them Cabbage down
Turn them hoecakes round

The only song that I can sing
Is boil them cabbage down

Love me some Aron!! :)

*Kent Bjurstrom

9. "I've loved him since he was born! Such a sweet faced baby. Always kind and such a big heart. I'm so proud to say I am his aunt. Aron, you amaze me. Your faith in the Lord is astounding. What a real man you are. I love the way you stand for your convictions. From your love of God to your faithful love of your wife and family. You know what is important in life for real. You are your aunts inspiration. I, at 49, hope to grow up to be more like you.=) I love you so much sweetheart. I'm blessed to have you in my life. Your FAVORITE aunt Stephane=)"

8. He is tender & the perfect one to make even the most painful hurt feel 'all better' again.

7. "I love Aron's love.

I love his love for...

-his God.

-his Bible.

-his wife.

-his kids.

-his church.

-his art.

-his mission"

*Mike Edmisten

6. "Because I want to marry him in my Cinderella dress when I grow up & get big."

*Isabelle Rose Kirk

5. We love Aron because he has been such a positive role model as to what a Godly man should be and is the best brother-in-law a girl could ask for.

*Elizabeth Gardner

4. I love Aron, ( a manly kind of love, like a "cut down trees together" kinda love) because he is a great listener whenever I need help with any problems I have or when ever I have any suggestions with the worship band. He is a great friend to me and a great man of God who I have a great deal of respect for.

*Aaron Dodge

3. "Because he's mine!"

*Isabelle Rose Kirk

2. On a warm summer day, you can find him with rod & reel in hand next to the best fishing hole he can find. Still waters run deep.

1. "Aron, you are the most amazing man I have ever met. I suppose you are just going to have to get a whole lot older, because I have so many more reasons I'd love to list explaining to you why you are so worth celebrating today. I know I fall short so often at expressing just how much you mean to me and how completely I love you...just because you are you. I wouldn't change a thing about you, from the freckles on your lips to your scent when you've been hard at work outside. I am so grateful God saw fit to unite me with you. I respect you in every way. I am honored to journey alongside you as your wife. Happy Birthday, baby!"

As you walk bravely into your 27th year, remember the words a great songwriter once penned,

'Be an oak, my son

With the heart of a lion

The only failure in life

Is not even trying.'

all my love,

ejk