Today is Wayne’s birthday! I will take any excuse to publicly celebrate this man of mine.

A couple of weeks ago, I was nursing Selah in the rocking chair right next to Wayne’s side of the bed. Wayne looked over and smiled at me. Then, he just casually whispered, “I’m living my dream life.” It was not during a cool trip, or a romantic date, or even a moment over a big event in our lives… it was a simple, at-home, everyday moment. That’s what I love most about him. His heart is full with ordinary moments and ordinary days, and he calls that his dream. His heart isn’t in the future, waiting or wishing for bigger or better things. He takes great pleasure and joy in the right now moments of life.

As it’s his 34th birthday today, our team wanted to take the opportunity and brag on him a bit. We are incredibly grateful for the kind of friend he is and it is an honor to celebrate and honor him!

Something his character has taught you this year
He works so hard and doesn’t have much time for himself, yet he still finds joy in volunteering his very limited time to serve me or others. He serves with joy. – Ingrid

This past year I have been so encouraged by the faithfulness of Wayne. He seeks after the Lord for wisdom and guidance. I have learned even more how to trust God in all areas of my life. – Kim

Wayne is super brilliant. He’s one of those people who just holds knowledge in their heads, the ones that are naturally smart whether in school or just random life things. Yet, he is one of the humblest people I know. Wayne also has a LOT of integrity, I’ve seen it firsthand in many situations…it continues to amaze me, and I respect him so much because of it. – Tori

Wayne is one of the most generous people I know, specifically with his time. This year he stepped in and helped me with so many different projects. From hanging a new light fixture in my dining room to planning a 4-hour budget meeting with me. (FUN FACT: Wayne loves personal finances) While I know that he had so many other ways he could have spent his time, it was really sweet to me that he wanted to serve me by giving me his time and his undivided attention in so many different ways this year.  – Ashley 

Your favorite memory with him from this year
While he is a man that delights in the simple moments, he is also a man that loves creating big romantic gestures for me. I was working in San Francisco earlier this year and he flew across the country to surprise me for Valentine’s day. I got to finally introduce him to some dear friends of mine on that coast and we all traveled to see Big Sur. Unforgettable sights with my favorite person. – Ingrid

My favorite memory with Wayne this year was recently when my family had dinner with his and we got to meet Selah. I loved that both of our families were together doing life! I loved that it wasn’t an event rather it was the normal parts of our worlds colliding and getting to know each other better. It’s a gift to me to work with the Carneys, but also for our families to be friends. – Kim

Aside from all of the evenings spent at their house making nerdy puns or talking about calculus, favorite memory would have to be working out at the stadium together. Wayne put together a workout for a group of us and we were all SO SORE the next day. We worked out really hard and then tossed the frisbee for a little while after and I just really enjoyed it. – Tori

One of my favorite memories with Wayne this year was getting to attend a few gator basketball games with him. It was a lot of fun to spend time with him while watching a sport we love. You better believe we blasted some old song rap in the car on the way to and from the stadium!  – Ashley

Something you are proud of him for
He’s a really good dad that takes pleasure in protecting and leading his kids, even at such young ages. Also, he humbly accepts that he is still a student in dad life and chooses to apply correction in efforts to grow. – Ingrid

I’m so proud of Wayne for his diligence with the pursuit of his doctorate. He is working so hard to finish his PT degree well. I can only imagine working full time, being a student and loving my family well as a parent and a spouse. It’s been so encouraging to watch from the sidelines as he pursues his dreams. – Kim

How much patience he has with his kiddos and how much he continues to balance on his plate. Wayne is unreal. I will never understand how he handles as much as he does. He is absolutely a role model of mine. – Tori

I’m so proud of him for how diligent he is. Wayne is an incredibly hardworking guy! He wears a lot of hats right now, and I am so proud of the way he has embraced each one with diligence and without grumbling. I really admire this about him. – Ashley

A way that he has reflected Jesus to you
I say all of the time that he is a really good example of Ephesians 5:25 as it is his great pleasure to put his needs and wants aside for me. But, another thing is that he loves people as they are. – Ingrid

Choosing joy. Often times I’m with Wayne, he’s laughing and just embracing the moment. One moment that sticks out for me was recently I was over at their home working with Ingrid as our kids played. As soon as Wayne arrived, he took all the kids out to play baseball. What a gift to watch my kids build friendships, and it was a quick reminder to be present and play. I believe that Jesus was like this- present with those around and intentional with how he loved and cared for others. I’m confident as we left my kids felt extra loved and seen! -Kim

Jesus was a passionate yet patient teacher. Wayne stays helping me with random things in all of my classes and he is one of the best teachers. He LOVES teaching you things, and even when you don’t understand he finds new ways to explain and is incredibly patient during the process. – Tori

Wayne has reflected Jesus to me through his faithfulness. Throughout the scriptures, you can see this theme of “one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).” Christ’s entire time on earth illustrated this idea of faithfulness in all things. With all that is on his plate, Wayne has faithfully and intentionally stepped into each role in his life with such diligence and intention. Parenting, as an employee, through leading a microchurch, as a husband, in school and as a friend. He has continually been an example to me of Christ through his faithfulness in every area. – Ashley 

My love. Praying to celebrate many, many more years of you living out your dream life. Happy 34th birthday, Wayne. I love you fiercely.