For years we’ve told my niece Ashley that when she married her husband Jonathon, known as Jon to his friends and family, she benefitted us all by bringing him into our clan. I can’t imagine not having this bright and compassionate young man in our family and it is a pleasure to celebrate him on his special day.
I looked up Jon’s name:
Jonathon, you are honest, benevolent, brilliant and inventive, full of inspiration. You are courageous, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You do well in positions of authority, and prosper in intellectual and professional fields.You are frank, methodical and you believe in law, system and order.
You are very intuitive. You have a reservoir of inspired wisdom combined with inherited analytical ability, which could reward you through expressions of spiritual leadership, business analysis, marketing, artistic visions, and scientific research. Operating from your spiritual side can raise you to great heights. Don’t neglect your spiritual nature. You are always looking for an opportunity to investigate the unknown, to use your mental abilities, and to find the purpose and meaning of life. You want to grow wise and to understand people and things. You seek privacy to replenish your energy. You have a unique way of thinking that is intuitive and reflective.
Those are powerful, and true, words about Jon. Although young, his brilliant and innovative nature has allowed him to excel in life and in his career. He is analytical and creative, using his talents to complete numerous interesting and functional projects around the house.
Jon not only supports his wife’s enthusiasm for family gatherings, he participates. He cooks, helping to prepare big family meals for Easter or Christmas in July, and pampered all the moms in the family one year by fixing special order breakfasts. Halloween is huge at the Barnes’ house and each year Jon helps to transform their home into the chosen theme, whether that’s an insane asylum or a haunted hotel. During the party he graciously serves as bartender, in full costume of course.
The thing that impresses me most about Jon is his devotion to family. He is a present and fully engaged dad to his sons, playing with them and teaching them. Throughout their babyhoods and toddler years, he shared responsibilities with Ashley in diaper duty, bath time and general care of the kids. Jon is great with the rest of the children in the family too, easily scooping up a crying toddler to comfort him or her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jon rattled or upset. His easy going demeanor has a calming effect on everyone.
And he adores his wife, encouraging her to pursue her dreams, accepting that his bride loves animals…a wide assortment of pets share the family home…and surprising her with unique gifts. Today, on his birthday, he informed Ashley that tomorrow they are flying to Scotland for a vacation, just the two of them. Why Scotland? Because Ashley has longed to visit that beautiful country. Jon has been planning this surprise for 15 months. I would have loved seeing Ashley’s face when she heard where they were going.
I’m grateful Jon is part of my family. He is interesting to talk to and fun to be around. I love how he relates to others, openly and authentically. He is growing wise, as he journeys, with the ability to impact and influence others in positive and meaningful ways. I look forward to seeing how far this amazing young man goes in life. Happy birthday, Jon! I love you.
