One of the beautiful things about arriving at one of life’s significant markers is the opportunity it creates for loved ones to gather around and share a blessing over the life that has been lived and the life they see unfolding into the future.
My wife, Jan (or Janny), turns 30 years old today and I want to create a space to offer her blessings, encouragement and/or prayers over her past, present and/or future.
Will you join me?!?!
Post your note in the comments section below and I will be gathering them all to include in a physical book (thank you, Shutterfly!) to give her as a reminder of who she is and what she means to those who love her most.
Thanks so much for jumping in! I’ll start…
Janny, you turn 30 years old today and I’ve had the honor of walking alongside of you for almost half of it! Having been given a birds eye view of your remarkable life, I have been gifted with the honor of learning from your selflessness, guided by your wisdom and entertained by you humor. You have taught me what it looks like to live fully into the person God has created me to be free of concerns around building reputation, appearance or success on any scale other than that of faithfulness, selfless love and Kingdom calling. You teach me how the heck to be a decent parent and have grace on me as I learn to love you better. It will be an honor to share the next 30 years of life walking hand in hand with you into whatever kind of crazy adventurous lay in front of us.
Your creativity, confidence, and passion for serving others is beyond words. Your thoughtfulness inspires and you have some of the best 17 yr old glamour shots I’ve ever seen
Happy Birthday my sweet, free spirited, thrift store hunter, yard sale raider, always up for a good time, go with the flow, make it happener, detail rememberer friend!!! You are a gift to have just a half block away. I am thankful for the practical ways you show me that I am important to you, and you do that with everyone you meet! Thank you for caring about the little details of my life that you make a point to remember and follow up with. I learn from you in the way that you always find ways to create space for others, giving generously of your time and your things. You see needs and you find ways to help answer them!
It is so fun and easy to celebrate you Janny! May you hear these words from all of your friends and family today and believe them deep within– for they are true!!
I love you and can’t wait to be a mom with you 🙂
xoxo
r.
Love you with all my heart even though I don’t tell you as often as I should. Hope you have an amazing birthday!
Happy Birthday Sissy!
Happy 30th Janny! I’m so grateful that you and Jonny came to Golden Hill 3 years ago. It has been a pleasure getting to do life with you and Jonny and now your girls as well. I think you make me laugh every time I’m with you and I love how you give to people; whether it’s a great find at a yard sale, or home-baked goodies, you are always giving to people.
May you experience deep joy, grace and gratefulness in this next season of your life. And may you continually know and live into, all that God has for you, Janny!
With Much Love, Laurie
Janny, happy birthday!
I love how you love and support my brother, and show so much love to my beautiful nieces, beyond all else. You are a beautiful, nurturing, creative soul, and you have inspired much of my love for creativity, re-purposing, and garage sales! 🙂
Thank you for being a part of our family for all of these years, and for helping me to see things about myself that I couldn’t see before. I am thankful for you in many, many ways!
I have loved watching and experiencing your personal growth and new passions, as you have been a part of your San Diego community, and I think that Motherhood is the most beautiful outfit that you wear.
God bless you in this 30th year of your life…I love you Sis! Xoxo
Jan, I’m so glad I get the chance to offer a blessing and love to you on your birthday. It was you who first introduced me to this practice, and it was through witnessing your intentionality in loving and affirming others that I was able to know more of your sweet soul.
I thank God for who you are, and for how you pour into the lives of the people you love. I deeply admire you as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Your vulnerability, humor and zest for life bless so many. You are continually celebrated 😉 Happy 30!!
Jan,
It has been a blessing knowing you for the last 7 years ish. The only problem is we haven’t seen enough of you and your wonderful family. You are a joy to be around and make others feel loved and cherished; a wonderful gift! I hope our families’ paths will continue to intersect, and with greater frequency.
Shalom
Jeff
Jan, you were a premie… I remember when I could hold you in the palm of my hand…Now look at you, all grown up and turning 30… We praise God and thank Him for allowing us the blessing of being your parents. I remember well when a first swimming ribbon was on the line at a swim meet up at Lake Tahoe. You and another girl had both won 4 events each and the trophy for your age group would go to the winner of the next event. I pulled you aside and asked, “Jan, do you want that trophy…” Your big brown eyes looked at the trophy and them me and said, “YES…” I said, “if you want it, you have to been the girl swimming next to you….” You looked at her, then looked back at me, and when the event started, you SMOKED her from start to finish…. You are competitive, not idle or lazy. I remember well your coming home from Monte Vista High and you were grumbling and complaining that all the girls were coming to you and dumping their problems onto you… I pointed out that they wouldn’t do that unless they trusted you and felt ‘safe’ around you. I also pointed out that you had the gift of MERCY and that hurting people ‘sniff out’ those with this gift. You looked at me and said, “I HATE this gift…” We, here you are now, living amongst the poor and forgotten, fueled by this blessed gift from the Almighty.
Blessings on you on this your birthday. You are loved and cherished.
Dad
Jan! It was awesome meeting you & Jon in the Holy Land a few years ago. I remember being blown away at how you were pregnant & managing just fine to trek around in the heat, while others (me) were huffing & puffing something fierce. I often refer to you & Jon in conversation as being the ones that set an example for me to live a more modest lifestyle without the vain glories & materialism this world has to offer, yet managing to make a powerful impact for the Kingdom, build a beautiful family while still traveling & living life to the fullest. Perhaps one of these days I’ll finally cross paths with the Huckins family again this side of Heaven & get to meet your two little ones. May God grant you many many years, bless & protect your family.
My dear friend,
Since the day we met freshman year, you have stuck by my side through it all. I know that you will forever be there for me no matter where this life takes us. You are the most real and honest person I have ever known. Your heart and passion for people and life is amazing and inspiring. I am so grateful for our 16 years of friendship, and look forward to the years to come.
I cherish every one of our memories in my heart.
I love you friend.
Your Wifey,
Steph
Dearest Janny,
I’m truly grateful for you as a friend, a neighbor, a fellow mom to share kids with (almost daily!) and a partner in mission in our neighborhood and beyond. Thanks for all the ways you care for me with your words, your presence, your delightful sweets and your creative ideas to my life puzzles. I always enjoy visioning with you because I know you’re courageous and are wiling to take risks to follow the dream and calling that God has for you and for us.
Happy Birthday, my friend!
-Christiana
Dearest Jan,
All because of a sweet little sailor outfit! Who would have thought that I would find myself such a true and wonderful friend at the farmers market?? I use to love seeing you and ruby pass by on Saturday. So happy that our friendship has grown and that our children have also grown up together. We value your and your family’s friendship dearly and feel so blessed to have you all in our lives. Heres to all the times that you have lifted me up with your sincere words and spirit, and not to mention a glass of wine or beer! Your humor about life and motherhood keeps me smiling! Simply, thank you. You are loved so much.
Jennifer Rose and family
Happy Birthday Jan! 30 years…what a milestone. I’m stoked for you on your birthday. You have two cute little monkeys and one big gorilla that you nurture so beautifully. I’m excited to hear how this next season unfolds for you, especially in regards to your role as a doula.
In one of my favorite books, The Ohlone Way, there’s a chapter about how the Ohlone women would give birth and help each other. The author has the reader imagine a young woman in labor and there are several other women helping her through it but she becomes more and more focused on this one woman. This woman is older than the rest. The young woman keeps herself focused on her eyes. As her labor pains become very strong, the young woman starts to get scared but she keeps focusing on the older woman’s eyes. The older woman grabs a small bag and pulls out a bear’s claw and rubs it on the young woman’s belly to give her extra strength. Filled with new energy the young woman begins to push. Soon the baby is born…
My prayer for you is that you continue to pursue this unique and incredible gift. Very few are blessed with it and so many are blessed through it. Happy Birthday 🙂
You are a woman of God, walking in the ways of Jesus; it’s courageous and beautiful. Your laughter and caring heart bring joy to us all. I have learned many things simply by watching you live your life, and it’s been an honor and blessing to call you a friend. Here’s to many more celebrations!
With much love, happy birthday Janny!
Janny….I have so loved getting to know you and spend time with you these last three years! You have always been welcoming, loving, full of life and energy, and such a great support in my last year of child-raising. Thanks for showing me the ways of on demand feeding and all night parenting! I couldn’t have done it without you!
You are beautiful and fun and always up for anything! I admire that in you! And how you can just whip up a flourless chocolate cake and homemade bread in no time at all…
I hope to be more like that one day!! Love you friend!
Melissa
Dear Janny,
I think I count you among the most beautiful women I know. Not just your beautiful smile but your beautiful heart. Always welcoming, always giving, always fun to be around. You are truly an inspiration to me.
Love you and your sweet family. Happy Birthday!
Janny,
I am so proud of the woman you have become. You are an inspiration to me everyday. I love your “go for the jugular” humor and equally selfless spirit. I always look forward to calling you and hearing what craziness is ensuing at casa de Huckins. You are raising two amazing girls that embody your tenacity for life more than you probably know or want to admit. They are both a treasure just like their mother. I love you very much. Happy birthday!
Much love,
Maria
The smile on your tilted back face as you dive into something tasty says it all. I love the way you embrace life and draw great joy from it. I love the thoughtfulness you put into everything you do to make us all feel so loved and significant. You add beauty to our world and we’re all better people because you. Blessing on the next 30 Janny!
Janny,
I’m grateful for all the ways you bring joy and laughter to my life. I can always count on you for a funny witty joke to bless my day. And I’m honored to love, bless, and fight for good news in Golden Hill with you. May you experience the Divine in fresh and new ways for the next 30 years to come! Happy 30th!
-Jauregui
Happy 30th birthday Jan! Where to start on how awesome you are!?! You made me feel like an old friend from the moment we met by how welcoming and at ease you are. I’m so glad that you shared a smelly house with 4 boys, for that to happen. Ha! You are so creative, wise, a great listener, super fun, funny, compassionate, ask the real questions, get things done (ahem, my wedding! Forever grateful!), adventurous, fearless, giving… Gorgeous, inside and out! I am so thankful we are friends! Love you! Xoxo, Sarah
Happy Birthday Janny! Wow am I thankful for you! It has been such a blessing to have you as a wife, mother, and missionary to watch and learn from. You have blessed me by being a sweet friend and helping to connect me with others in the short time that I have been here. Your spirit, energy, and gifts and how you use them shine Jesus wherever you go. Your patience, joy, and vulnerability as a mom is earth shaddering. You have taught me much and loved me well. I appreciate you! Happy 30th!!!
Happy birthday dear Janny! What a blessing you are to us all. Your kindness, easy laugh, and sweet spirit have brought me comfort many times over the last few years. I’m so grateful our paths crossed. Whenever the boys are being crazy and I think this is not real, I can hear the Janny response voice in my head with your comical swat of the hand and “oh stop it!” Love you so much and wishing a super special wife, mother, and friend a perfectly wonderful 30th year! Love, Ladonna
Janny,
I love you, I admire you, and I am so deeply thankful for you. You have taught me so much about being a friend, a wife, and a mother. You’ve shown me a new way to live and inspired me to want and seek more from life. I’ve never met anyone with such an adventuresome spirit, selfless heart, and infectious joy. You are beauty through and through. I love you and I hope you are reminded of just how incredible you are today, and everyday.
Love,
Katie
In August of 1983,we were moving from Coronado to Alameda. Jason had just turned 2 the week before. You were due to be born in September. But in between boxes and chasing your brother, you decided it was time to be born. Three weeks early!
You weighed 6lbs. 3 oz. By the time we brought you home 3 days later you weighted 5 lbs. 11oz.
Grandma Doyle flew out from Kansas as fast as she could. You were her first granddaughter! She was afraid to change your diaper because ‘she is so little’. She soon got over that.
You remind me so much of Ruby when she is caring for her dolls and ‘feeding’ them. You were the same way. FInding some one to to care for each day.You still do…..
You have the gift of Irish storytelling in you, just like Grandpa Doyle. I enjoy listening to the stories about the girls and we laugh and laugh.
I am so proud of the woman of God you have become.
I not only treasure you as my daughter,but as a dear friend also.
Dad and I are truly blessed.
Happy 30th Birthday, sweet Janny!
You are a blessing to me! I am so grateful for the woman that you have become….so much passion, creativity, service, and love, fueled by your conviction to live and love like your Savior.
Thank you for loving and supporting Jonny, and for being such an amazing soul mate for him. Thank you for raising our little Ruby and Rosie in an atmosphere of loving others and Jesus. I love how you put a priority on your own heart also, by seeking to be mentored, and mentoring others.
You are a treasure, and I’m so thankful that you are my daughter-in-law! I have loved all of our fun times together!! Love you!
Happy 30th Birthday Jan!
I love the way you invite Sue and me into your life and the lives of our grandaughters. To watch you grow as a mom, wife, friend, daughter-in-law and member of our family is one of the joys of my life as a dad and grandpa. It’s such a priviliege to pray for you and then stand back and watch the way God is growing you as a much-loved daughter of His!
Love you so much,
Dad Huckins
Happy 30th birthday my dear friend! I look back at all the amazing memories and conversations we’ve shared with such gratitude. I love the way you live out your faith, your passion and love for others, your willingness to listen, your encouragement, your joy for life, and your sense of humor. Thank you for always being such an amazing friend – even from afar I am so blessed by your friendship.
Love you friend,
Christin
What a sweet idea! And for such a sweet person! Seriously Janny, you are like the perfect combination of sweet and sassy. Kind of like your desserts, which are always delicious and fun. You are kind, thoughtful, creative, and willing to take risks. I admire you. And I came across this Robert Frost quote that seemed appropriate: “Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.” Here’s to time standing still this year.
Jan, my dear friend, you are the most caring and hospitable person I know. You are always putting others before yourself, a true character of Jesus. You are a kind, humble, loving, compassionate, adventurous, fun, hilarious, and super cool woman! Life is not the same without you living near, but I love that when we do see each other we just pick up where we left off. I will always cherish the experiences we have had together, especially those that involved great conversation with a glass of wine in one hand and a vanilla in the other. I am blessed to call you a friend. Welcome to the 30’s! Happy Birthday! Love you!
Happy 30th Birthday Jan! Ps. 128 “How happy are those who fear the Lord, all who follow His ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life! Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, flourishing within your home. And look at all those children! There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That is the Lord’s reward for those who fear him. May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live, May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. And may Israel have quietness and peace.”
This is how I see you because you fear the Lord –
Happy, working hard serving others, having a rich life. You enjoy being a mom and a wife. The Lord has truly blessed you!
Love you
Aunt Carol
Janny!
Happy, happy day to you!
Beloved
Fierce
Passionate
Strong
Authentic
Trustworthy.
Thanks for sharing these things and so much more with us. It is truly a privilege to know you and be your friend. I’m thankful to walk through life with you and hope to continue to do so for many more years. looking forward to more shared memories and adventures. love you dearly, friend. xo
Ohhhhh Janny Janny Janny. OF COURSE I am the last one getting this in and it IS still August 22 a few places in the world….. SO, here goes. I love you dearly, my friend. You are the greatest friend I’ve never shared a zip code with. Well, except those few times that we packed up our family-of-almost-5 and moved in with you last year. I am SO SO SO thankful for you and I pray constantly that we will continue to share life in adventurous, courageous, and creative ways that may never actually involve living in the same city. Never underestimate yourself and the beautiful ways God has gifted you to bring love, kindness, and justice to a hurting world, starting right in your neighborhood. You are such an amazing mom and wife, neighbor and friend, advocate and leader. And you LOOK FABULOUS doing it all! I believe He has even more opportunities for leadership and influence in these next 30 years! Keep doing what you are doing and know that you are loved and supported by SO many! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Janny!
I am so truly blessed to be your neighbor, friend, and former housemate! It has been an honor to share life (at times very closely) with you these past 2 years. I am so inspired by the way you sacrificially, intentionally, and beautifully love and serve those around you. We have been touched deeply by your incredible, thoughtful, and hilarious spirit! I am so grateful for all I have learned from you from garage sale tactics to attachment parenting tricks….you are an incredible human being, wife, mother, daughter and friend. Thank you for all the ways you care for and love me so well. We love you and your family so much and are honored to do life with you!
Dear Sweet Janny!!
Happy Birthday… and Welcome to your 30s!! I’m so excited for what this decade will bring to you and your family.
I am honored to have been chosen to assist you in the birth of little Rosie Posie. You are a lioness!! You are a Goddess!! Janny, You do life like you do birth… with poise, grace, strength and beauty. I’m blessed to know you and to call you my friend.
Happy Birthday!
Janna 🙂
I must say, watching her sit and read every reflection at the end of the day was about as good as it gets. Thanks for all the help in making this happen, friends!