Tom's Favorite Leisure Suit
A Little About Tom:
I was born in Columbus, OH. However, when I was 3 my family moved to Baltimore, MD, and then at 8 they moved to Ellicott City, MD (about 15 minutes away) where they still live today. So, living in MD is all I really remember. I'm the oldest of three boys, and the oldest grandson on both sides of my family. As a baby I would eat just about anything, as long as it was mixed in with my mom's homemade applesauce. Most of my childhood memories involve either scouts, sports or Walt Disney World. I started my scouting career as a tiger cub, worked my way through all the cub scout ranks, and as a boy scout completed the rank of Eagle when I was 13. I've participated in many different sports over the years with soccer, baseball, tennis, basketball, track, and volleyball being some of the highlights. My family went to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was 5, and from then on my brothers and I would refer to it as our "second home". Although I've tinkered with many hobbies over the years, the interest that has stayed with me into adulthood is my love of cars. I've had the opportunity to drive/ride many different types of vehicles thus far, but there are still many that I haven't yet had to opportunity to try (top of that list is probably learning to fly).
I was called to serve in the exotic Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. I served in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, and Madison. Our mission also included the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was lucky enough to serve 3 transfers in Houghton, MI (one of the northern most cities in the country) beginning right before Thanksgiving. I saw about 250" of snow, although the total that winter was over 300" (the snow usually starts in October, and will continue as late as May). Although I was called as an English-speaking Elder, I served for 3 transfers with a Hmoob-speaking Elder (pronounced "mong"). I've forgotten nearly all of the Hmoob I had learned (which wasn't very much), but the Hmoob members have a fun tradition of giving their Elders a Hmoob name. I was given the name Elder Koob Meej (pronounced "gong mang"), and I even got a name tag with that name on it. I studied Mechanical Engineering at BYU, but my chosen career field has been Financial Services (which I owe to my favorite mission companion). After starting with a larger company for a few years, a group of us decided to break away and start a new company. I've definitely enjoyed the challenge, and hope to try many different business ventures in the future. My newest adventure has been the wonderful world of Home Improvement. I've certainly learned a lot, the most important being that I never want to be living in the same home that I'm renovating ever again!
Tom at Disney World with his Dad
From Grandpa:
Tom has frequently impressed me with his ability to step back and analyze the un-obvious- the sign of a very healthy analytical questioning mind… As a simple example, he was the only one to ask Andrea, what, over the year no one else thought to ask- “if you had to ride uphill to school both ways, why couldn’t you reverse the pattern and ride downhill both ways J ?”.
In a similar vane, I have been impressed with his ability to take on unfamiliar construction projects and make them come out with impressive results- the skill and patience of a craftsman.
I have been impressed with Tom’s strong sense of family and compassion for their well being- he is the perfect match for our loving and lovable strong-willed daughter… his parents, nor wecouldn’t ask for a more thoughtful son and son-in-law.
And finally, Tom is the family member who understands his father-in-law’s love of a motorcycle on an open back road: The joy of ever changing scenery gracefully gliding by saying- ‘look at me’- ‘notice me’. The plethora of odors and smells- merging and contrasting, the playful ever-changing temperature gradients, the ‘personality’ of the road itself with it’s swaying, undulating centrifugal and centripetal forces at play- some subtle and playful, some bold and overt- all the things that make even a simple trip an adventure to be savored and enjoyed! My family motorcycles-in-his-blood compatriot! I wish we lived nearer and could often ride together…
Happy Birthday Tom- keep your mind challenged and the rubber side down!
Love Phil
Tom's Little League Picture
From Grammy:
Happy Birthday Tom! I loved your comment in one of the blogs about being in the "volunteer club". We are so happy that you volunteered to be part of our family. You have this quiet way of injecting logic and humor when needed. Your ability to think outside the box is admiral.
I appreciate the meticulous way you approach projects and give each one your best effort. The work you have done on your house is impressive, especially since you have taught yourself as you went along. Best of all is the strength of your testimony and your faithful service in the church, having given so much of your time and effort to further the work. And lastly, I don't know anybody else that can make a spoon stick to his nose!! Have a great day.
Sharon
Tom receiving his Eagle Scout
Tom,
Thinking back it's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since we met each other as freshman at BYU - tie dye shirts and all. It's fun to think back to those times when "we" were just beginning. We've had so much fun since then and luckily we've grown, stretched, and learned together from the not so fun times. You're one of a kind and one of the few who really understands and gets me as I am. You mean so much to me and I'm so glad to have you as my best friend and eternal companion. I love you and hope you have a great birthday!
Love, Andy
P.S. Here are some of my favorite photos of you below...
