Happy Birthday Ben!

Growing up Ben wanted to be a rock star. He was the kind of kid though that said his prayers every night and read his scriptures every day. He finally decided that pursuing the rock star dream was not really conducive to the kind of lifestyle he wanted and decided to serve a mission instead. After spending two years in San Francisco he came home to Texas and left for a cross country trip up to Utah. He arrived in winter with no place to stay. After time he secured an apartment, a job, school classes, and a girlfriend. He married the girl two years later in the Salt Lake City Temple.

A year a half after that their first daughter was born. After giving up the rock star dream Ben decided to look into political science and journalism. Wanting to put family first though he called and interviewed several journalists. They all said the same thing, long hours and you never see your family. He gave up that dream and went into geology. Working eight hour night shifts at UPS he would come home, get two hours of sleep, and then leave for a full schedule of classes in the morning. He managed to graduate at the University of Utah with his Bachelor of Geology degree, have daughter number two and get accepted for a Master's Degree at the University of Texas in Austin.

Even though his Masters required long weeks, weekends, and field work Ben never put his family second. His third daughter was born in Austin and a week later he lost a brother-in-law. He still managed to be there for his wife, finish his degree, and make each daughter feel like a princess.

He accepted a job at ConocoPhillips in 2007, moved to Houston and had daughter number four. With all these daughters he still smiles every day.

Now, ten years after it all began Ben is the kind of man who upholds his priesthood, reads to the kids before putting them to bed at night, and buys his wife flowers on occasion. He has sacrificed dreams, hobbies, and goals to spend time with his daughters and help his wife with the dishes.

Personally, I think he is amazing. Happy Birthday Ben. I can't imagine my life without you.