Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Zach

I have a lot of really good stuff to share and I'm tempted to jam it all together into one post but I will resist. I am going to put off all training updates for the week until later, it's nothing too exciting anyway. Also stay tuned for the race report for Sunday's 10k race. All this and more, right here on Running Stories! (said as Rod Roddy)


But today I have only one topic: Zach is turning 30 tomorrow. Let me just quickly summarize my favorite things about this 3-decades-old gentleman and then I'll post some pictures. My goal here is to totally gush and embarrass him. :)

Zach is a textbook example of someone that improves with age. He is better looking and in the best shape of his life. He is smarter, wittier, and more interested in learning about the world than ever before. He is also more sensitive, more empathetic, and kinder than he was when he was younger. And I can say all these things because I have known him since he was a teenager and have been in love with him since he was 18 years old. He was always cute and clever but let's just say I'm very happy with my investment. I have no doubt he is just going to continue to improve for decades to come. Meanwhile I will ruin my body by bearing his children and get duller with age. (kidding!!)

Some amazing things Zach has accomplished in his three decades:

- Backpacked, kayaked, hiked, caved, and generally explored much of the Western US with his parents.

- After dropping out of high school, he earned his GED and went on to get a degree in Business from the University of Montana.

- Has excelled in every job he's held and generally has a very successful career in finance/accounting. Everyone at all of his jobs has always loved him (aka he is a brown-noser) and he is incredible at financial and other quantitative analysis (aka he is a numbers geek). He is a prodigy in Excel. He's not exactly working in finance now (he works in pricing analysis for the power company) but is kicking more career ass than ever.

- Speaking of finances, he has handled our financial situation like a pro and kept us out of debt and has us saving saving saving. He's got a whole strategy for the recession and even with my unemployment didn't miss a beat. I have no doubt we will be financially sound for all our lives. He has helped a lot of our friends and family with their own personal finance questions. Seriously, if you need help setting up a budget or picking investments, shoot him an email.

- He ran track in high school and held (however briefly) a state record for pole vault. After the common "freshman fifteen" years he whipped himself into ridiculous shape in the blink of an eye. It pissed me off to no end. He has ran a marathon, won his AG in triathlons, and is just getting started. I don't doubt that he'll be in Boston and Kona at some point in his life.

- He has been a great friend to his friends from Missoula and has made many new wonderful friends since we left Montana. I always have greatly appreciated the fact that he is pretty much as close to all my girlfriends as I am and would do anything for all of these people. He lost one of his very good friends a few years ago and I know he thinks about him every day, we both do. It makes us both want to be there for all the great friends in our lives and do what we can to make sure they are happy, healthy, and safe.

I'll wrap it up here with a few pictures of my amazing man. Please wish him a happy 30th birthday either here or on his blog. Thank you very much for reading!!

College Graduation, Missoula MT (May 2002):

Canyon Lake, Bitterroot Mountains, MT (Summer 2002):

Wedding Party, Helena MT (August 2003):

Snowshoeing in Tahoe (January 2005)

New York City (December 2007):
Santa Cruz Triathlon (Summer 2008):
He's going to kill me for this (taken last month):

Happy Birthday Zach!!!!!

24 comments:

Amy - the gazelle said...

damn! check out the arms on your man! I'd say you did make a good investment!

I'll wander over to his blog for birthday wishes, too, and I'm looking forward to seeing both of you tomorrow night. And I'll try really hard to resist asking Zach to help me fix my finances while we're actually toasting his birthday.

Amy said...

What a fun and awesome post. Happy 30th Zach!!!! Your post was really cute and not too mushy. :) Loved all the pictures too. I'm so glad I was able to meet both of you in Portland.

Gotta Run..... said...

Love the post. happy birthday Zach!!! you two are just to cute!!!

Marathon Maritza said...

I agree, you have yourself a good man there, babe. :) I love you guys. You are awesome. I miss you both every day. :)

*cheese*

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!! Welcome to the 30's club.

You guys have a very special relationship. I love your wedding dress, so pretty.

Justin said...

He is a great guy, and I wish him a fantastic birthday!

I hope I am able to sneak out tomorrow and raise a pint with you guys to celebrate the event in person.

Kim said...

OMG love the post and love the pictures! happy birthday to the love of your life!!! (you guys are a fantastic looking couple!)

Sarah said...

You guys are adorable! Great loving post - he's lucky to have you, as it seems you definitely appreciate and value him :)

see you tomorrow!

Alisa said...

Aww I love this post!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!

I love what you said about making a good investment. I feel the same way.

I hope Justin took notes on this post, he's going to get a roasting in August =).

See you tomorrow.

Emily said...

Mr. Muscles McGoo. Nice recap on a young dude in his prime. I must say that getting to know you both over the past few months you are totally meant for each other.

HAPPY B-DAY Z!

Cindy said...

check out the gun show- woo woo! i loved reading your ode to zach post. you guys have been together since teens? i love that! it gives me goosebumps!
happy b-day to zach!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Zach! 30? That's not making me feel any younger...

J said...

Every girl can appreciate a mans muscles! Love the pictures! Happy birthday to Zach!

Aron said...

awesome post!! happy birthday zach :)

Anonymous said...

Here, Here, I know him well!
Happy 30th Birthday Zach!
Dragonfly on the Water...

Susan said...

Awesome post! Happy 30th to Zach! I love the pictures, especially the last one...such a classic!

I hope you two enjoy celebrating the 30's!

Beth said...

What a great post! I always love hearing about other great happy couples. And I'm with you on having made a good investment! (and as an aside, my husband also dropped out of high school and has gone on to a great career!). Happy birthday to Zach.

Lotusphx said...

Muscle Mania! It has been a great journey to 30!! I am very proud of all you and Zach have accomplished together!! Zach, let us know how 30 feels :)

Happy Birthday!!

GB said...

You know how in some relationships you can clearly see who's got the better end of the stick? Well it is clear in your relationship that you are equal and you both have it pretty darn good! :) It's so cute to see how much you adore your husband!!! And I'm sure he adores you a zillion times over, too. Happy Birthday to Zach!

KK said...

Wow, what an awesome and very thoughtful tribute to Zach. That was seriously so nice! You guys are very lucky to have each other.

LOL at your ruining your body while bearing his children comment. So true, we women sooo get the short end of the stick on that one! Your kids will be pretty darn cute, too.

Ewen said...

Did he know you were going to embarrass him like that? ;) Happy birthday Zach. The fourth decade is an awesome one!

By the way, not so sure about that last photo. Now, if it had been Jen in a similar pose...

John said...

A big "Cheers" to both of you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy Birthday Zach!!!! love the last pic with his bulging biceps and the knives in the background..they are no match! haha You've def found yourself a good investment :)

kristen said...

Sounds like a keeper!! Happy Birthday Zach!