Happy Birthday Ricker.


Today my dad would've turned 64 years old.  We were going to have a big birthday party for him, Rangi and Rocky were even planning on coming in town for it.  It makes me sad we weren't able to throw one last bitchin' Birthday party for him.  He has been gone for about a month and a half.  It's still so weird and sad not having him around.  I miss him so much everyday.  Everyone does. 

Even though our baby is two weeks old, his due date was actually today.  No one was as excited to hear we were pregnant as the Ricker.  His excitement quadrupled when he found out the due date was on his birthday.  So excited he couldn't help but start calling people or yelling it across the street to neighbors, even when we had only known for about ten minutes.  When I said, "Dad!  You can't tell people that early!"  He replied, "What are you talking about?  People need good news.  And this is awesome news!"  It was fun to have someone as excited as us, but honestly he probably was even more.  Danny told Ricker that day that if it was a boy, his middle name would be Ricker.  My dad was stoked.  Every time someone in our family found out they were having a boy, he always asked, "What I wanna know, is why no one has claimed the name Ricker??"  AnnaBelle always rebutted saying, "Wait til' I have a boy grandpa!"

Around July Danny and I started talking about naming our baby's first name, Ricker.  Actually, Danny started with Richard and I immediately said no, it'd have to be Ricker.  My dad's name was Richard, but we all knew he was a Ricker.  We both really liked the name, and loved my dad.  We kind of wondered how my family would like it, or if it would be too weird.  Then unexpectedly, on August 26th my dad passed away.  We thought what a cool tribute it'd be to my dad and how lucky our baby boy would be to share a name with him. 

When our baby was born he actually did look like he could be named Ricker and we knew just minutes before he had been lucky enough to be in the presence of my dad. 
In the hospital we named our baby Ricker Scott Elder.


I am not a very emotional person.  I don't cry in movies, or hardly ever for that matter.  But for some reason every time I tried to say our baby's name, my eyes filled with tears.  I really wanted to name our baby after my dad, but it probably weirds people out when they ask your baby's name and you start bawling.  EVERYONE, including my immediate family, was wondering what his name was.  I couldn't tell them.  I felt like a psycho not having a name I could say out loud for our beautiful baby boy.  And when I tried to explain myself I also wanted to cry.  When Pearl was born, my dad kept saying, "Don't you just love being a mom?  Can you believe how lucky you are?  Being a parent is the greatest thing in this world."
I agree with him completely. 
 With both births of our babies, I immediately felt connected to them like we were old friends.
 It has been an emotional couple of weeks, but an amazing time for our family. We are so blessed to have this sweet baby in our home and I know the Ricker is watching out for us and baby Ricker too.  
Nothing was more important to my dad than his grandkids.   And I know even though he's not here, he's stoked to have gotten a new one 2 weeks ago an another one on the way in November (Rocky & Sarah).

 


Wishing so much I could give my dad a hug today on his Birthday.
We all need to try and be happy today, my dad would want us to be.
In honor of the Ricker the fam is headed to his favorite place tonight, Chuck-A-Rama.  
Such a funny thing, I know. We loved to go there:)
I hope he's getting some good food up in Heaven today!  
Happy Birthday dad!  Love you!

To read more reasons about why my dad is the coolest go here.

Comments

Lulu said…
Thanks for making me bawl like a baby at work. Party it up in heaven for us Ricker. You are missed.
Lauren said…
Seriously, tearing up at work. This is a great post Rachel.
jessie said…
I absolutely loved reading this. I love stories of such genuine love like this. Your fathers day post was uh-maz-ing. I feel like I missed out not knowing him!! Your so good at writing Rachel, as a reader, your love for your subjects in your writing is so transparent, its beautiful.
D-Lish said…
I feel like an idiot being in class crying. What a great post Rach. Little Ricker is so blessed to be named after such a great man. I kinda like the middle name too.
D-Lish said…
I feel like an idiot being in class crying. What a great post Rach. Little Ricker is so blessed to be named after such a great man. I kinda like the middle name too.
The Simpsons said…
Thank you for posting this! I was so very touched! I'll keep praying for you Rach! Love Lisa
Mindy said…
Loved this post. Ricker would be so proud. This morning we were all talking about what a fun day this was supposed to be, but you are right your Dad would want us to be Happy. Looking forward to chuck-a-rama(:
Sara said…
Happy Birthday Ricker!!! I know... we were supposed to be there right now!!! Ricker was awesome! I hope you all had fun at dinner. I know he is stoked about his new namesake and I am stoked he HAS a name! Love ya.
Sara said…
Such a cute baby by the way!!!
Darrell said…
You can't go wrong naming this baby after his grandpa. More important than honoring your dad, is giving little Ricker something to look up to and aspire to. Fantastic decision!
meg bird said…
That is so perfect! A beautiful baby, and a great way to honor your sweet dad. I was wondering if you guys just hadn't decided on a name yet, not that it's my business. But this makes complete sense. Happy birthday to the Ricker :)
I'm crying at the computer! I love you and that was the sweetest story! Can't wait to meet little Ricker!

Darcee said…
Baby Ricker is absolutely precious! He is SO handsome Rachel!!! I wish I could squeeze him right now. And I think it is perfect that his name is Ricker. It just seems right. Ricker is doing backflips in heaven on that one! :) I'm proud of you Rachel. I can imagine what the day to day is without your dad and you are doing it, even though it must be so, so hard. He would want you to be happy and party hard but it's still just hard. Sure love you guys and so very happy baby Ricker is here safely!
Savage said…
Rachel....you are awesome! And Baby Ricker is sooo cute! Can't you just imagine your Dad being so proud?! hang in there momma :)
Sydney said…
Rach, this post makes me so sad and so happy at the same time. Your Dad is so special and I'm so devastated he cant be there for you, but like you said, he was probably giving little Ricker advice before he got here! Teaching his grandson how to tell legendary stories! And I love little Ricker's name. I tear up just thinking about what a special connection he'll have with your dad his whole life. I just love you and you are all in my prayers!
Rangi said…
Great post Rach. We can't wait to meet baby Ricker, I'm sure he will do Dad proud.

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