Happy Birthday Thom!: 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Happy birthday, Thom. Not quite sober, but looking very suave :))

Pete and Liz

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Thom's a Hero

Happy Birthday Thom!

Remember when you saved me from drowning in your pool? Thanks! - Mony

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I did the best I could with this one. And no, I’m not referring to the writing of this blog post. I’m talking about Thomas Michael Markeson, the full name I use when I am annoyed with my little brother and conveniently also the name I use when I want to get him to do me a favor. His other sister, Sara, and I had Thom wrapped around our little fingers growing up. In fact, Thom can owe his current success to both of us (mainly me), because we saved our misguided brother from the life of a thug and from walking down a very dark and glittery path. More about that later.

*Yes that's underwear on Thom's head - so he looks like Spiderman.

You all regale Thom with being such a great dentist (let’s wait to judge until our teeth prematurely fall out based on Thom’s advice), great son (you all read my mom’s post, right? great son indeed!), great brother (my numerous scars from fighting tell otherwise, and being hit in the stomach with a frozen loaf of bread was completely unwarranted), great boyfriend (Caitlin, have you heard how loud Thom snores?), and great man (well, 29 is technically OOOOOLD, but Thom is so far from manly, don't let that patch of animal he’s allowed to live on his face fool you, that we have to use the term “man” loosely). However, Thom didn’t start out with such greatness. I worked very hard to mold him into what he is today. As for the other miracles I couldn’t work (magic does have its limits), we have no choice but to blame it on Thom’s vulgar appearance and inherent inadequacies.

*Thom was trying to fix the holes in his nose with a band-aid.

For example, did you know Thom wanted to grow up to be a girl? Great aspirations! And for that, you’re welcome Thom. You see, Thom had 2 amazing older sisters as mentors and some pretty amazing female cousins. Thom would get so jealous when we dressed up in our fancy hats, gloves and purses and painted our nails bright colors. He would beg and plead and cry for us to do the same to him. We’d tell him, Thom, you need to do manly things. But how could you say no to such a sweet little girly boy? So we complied.

*Nice purse Thom.

For a while, we had an all-girls club at my grandparents that would do girl-oriented things (we called ourselves the Markleberrys). Thom again begged and pleaded to join the ranks of this prestigious society, but really that was going too far, for Thom’s sake. Thom, you can’t be in an all-girls club because it just isn’t right. It was in your best interest to keep you out of that club, but cry you did. You were so dejected that our Uncle Tom (note, Thom and Uncle Tom are in fact related, despite the different spelling of their names) invented the Tom Club (obviously predating the “Tommy” to “Thom” cataclysmic event). However, I guess that still wasn’t good enough. To appease you Thom, on your birthday this year, you finally will be inducted as an honorary member of the all-girls Markleberry club. Your tiara and tutu await.

*Geez, put on some clothes.

I feel confident now, however, that whatever happens in life, Thom is going to be just fine. I must admit it was touch and go for a while with Thom, including stray encounters with police and other authorities and dabbling in the dark arts.

*I have nothing to say...

But I feel good to let him run free, because I’m confident that Thom's strong role model (me) was able to shake him from his misguided ways and give him a solid foundation to become a “man” (I still use the term loosely), and that he will succeed in Seattle and everywhere. Love you Thom and happy birthday!!!! And anytime feel free to throw away those clothes and go wild – you will always have me to bail you out of jail (you’ll just have to find a different lawyer that defends people like you).

*Now a fine young man.

XOXOX – Your older sister (who everyone says looks much MUCH younger than you) Katie

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caption: Thomas The GREAT.

Happy Birthday Man

Fun Facts about your birthday

You share your birthday with

Ethel Kennedy

11-Apr-1928 (83)

(But who are we kidding. You don’t have to share it with ANYONE!!!)

On this day in 1992 Euro-Disney opens in France!!

On this day in 1990 New York Lotto pays out $35 million to two people. The numbers were 6-14-24-32-34-51. These are your new lucky numbers. Make sure to share if you win.

On this day in 1983 (your actual date of birth in case you forgot) Craig Stadler wins the 46^th Masters Championship. He shot a 284!

On this day in 1814 Napoleon is exiled to Elba.

In 1890, Ellis Island was designated an Immigration station.

So even though there are a lot of important historical moments on this day, my favorite is that you were brought into this world!

- Jonathan

Monday, April 2, 2012

Happy Birthday Thom! We miss you and hope your 29th year of life will be the best yet! And thanks for being basically responsible for introducing us. Recommending that one of us should borrow movies from the other and cooking us a wonderful lamb dinner during our lonely hearts club Valentines Day Party... yeah, in hindsight it all looks rather planned. If on the very off chance you get some sort of malpractice case for drilling a hole in someone's tongue instead of their left maxillary second bicuspid you could always open up shop as a mysterious gypsy matchmaker... there is probably a profitable niche market for a ruggedly handsome and extremely sophisticated Norwegian male match-maker. If we weren't happily married I think we'd both agree to pay for that service. Happy Birthday Thom!

Love,
Shanna & TJ

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Thom...we've been through so much...and we have so much more to offer each other. I know our feelings will never change. Your birth day was a gift to the universe. I celebrate this day...and always will. Once my heart was weak but now it is strong...because you are in it. Happy Birthday Old Friend.

Always, Chris

Thom Happy Birthday! Bacon Norway Cousins

Meg

Happy Birthday Thom! It seems like only yesterday that we were cheating on Philosophy finals, you were getting consistently beaten in FIFA and NCAA Football, and I was giving you early morning rides to the airport where I thought you were going to puke in my car. Time sure flies....I appreciate everything that you have done for me (including letting me win on the PS3) over the past decade. I know I wouldn't have passed Philosophy without you. I hope you have a great birthday and I hope we have another great decade of friendship in the following 10 years.

All the best,
Phil

Happy Birthday Thom! One year closer to 30 and I have never seen you happier! From watching endless FIFA games to graduations to busting your brackets, you have made "growing up" interesting and fun over the years! This year, I wish you nothing but the best! Count your blessings in life. We count you as one of ours (awwww.....).

Love you! Angie

P.S. When you and Caitlin come to LA I would like to discuss your decision to pierce your belly button. I did not know this about you.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Happy Birthday to our very, very favorite nephew! In your own Tommy (pre Thom days) way you redefined the dictionary: Inquisitive - Tommy was so busy exploring that the rest of us spent the entire outing looking for you. Rebel - temporary tattoo of sexy redhead on your skinny little 7 yr old arm. Instigator - You told your gullible Grandpa Pain that Aunt Sara had you permanently tattooed (See Rebel above). Tough guy - Cranking your jaw every night before bed and you never complained. It was killing me. Stubborn - The only thing you would eat was "beans." Now you're grown and we know you as a kind, thoughtful and wonderful son of my sister. We are so proud of you and the man you have become. We love you very much.

Love,

Aunt Sara and Uncle Butch (or should I say, Uncle Birch)

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

All I know is that Thom's rendition of glicerine by Bush always brings tears to my eyes! WHAT A VOICE! Happy Birthday Thom!

Andy Phippen

And all I know is that to me he is 'Thumb' and always will be :) I love you so much cousin, Happy Birthday!!! May you feel how special you really are on your big day!

Kendra Phippen/Phippsen

Thom..... We would like to wish you a very happy 29th birthday. Seems like yesterday you were going out with your high school friends when we would come over for dinner. Time does fly. You have grown into a wonderful and caring man. You will go a long way in this life. We think the world of you and wish you the very best in this next adventure in your life. Hugs from both of us.

Roy and Sue

Monday, March 26, 2012

Hey Thom, we hope you have a great birthday. Bob and I are so fond of you. Hope you have a great day, and know we wish you the very best!!!

Love LuAnn & Bob

Thom,

I remember you as a skinny little kid that always thought I was the coolest thing that walked on two legs! Ha ha. No, in reality, I was always slightly envious of the Thom Markeson-Austin Findley duo that existed for so many years. First memories, though, have got to be the medium cheese pizza from Domino’s. I believe I can speak for Aaron Weiss in that regard too. Whenever we thought of Thom, it was always in conjunction with one of the two of us pulling up to 126 S 600 E (how’d the memory do on that?).

Thom, we’re all in favor of your choice of Caitlin. She’s an amazing girl with a personality unlike no other on earth. Take care of her, treat her right, and be prepared to join the ranks of one of the coolest clans west of the Mississippi--the Phippens--and you’ll be a great addition to the team. Happy Birthday buddy!!!

BTW, I really would love an English Premier League or Champions League souvenir. I wear a Large and I support Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona. Just sayin….

From Peter Phippen

Happy birthday to my son, Thom!

I remember when your name was Tom.

Raising you was never dull because
you kept things hopping without a lull
Escapades at school were creative, to say the least.
You started with snow blindness
and the trouble never ceased.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry
when you pierced your belly button and the brow of your eye.
You died your hair purple and black, oh dear!
I fixed that and thought I was in the clear.
But no, you still had more tricks up your sleeve
and more power than you can imagine to peeve.

Remember the party you threw at our home.
I thought I was okay to leave a fourteen-year-old alone.
But then I found out you were driving my car,
picking up friends, making our home a bar.
It's over. You've grown up. I love you my son.
You’re the best man I know. You're number 1!
So again, happy birthday to my true pride and joy.
God gave me a wonderful gift when he made you my boy.

I love you.

Mom

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Dear Thom, a timeline ...

August 12, 2011
A magical day that made all the difference in my life. I met you at the rehearsal dinner for my brother and your cousin's wedding in California. You mixed me my favorite drink, a White Russian, and I knew then there must be something special about you.

August 28, 2011
You came to visit me for the first time in NYC and we survived hurricane Irene together at the neighborhood pub.

September 16, 2011
I came to see you in NC for the first time. You accidentally blurted out that you loved me and I knew I loved you too. We became official BF/GF this weekend.

October 8, 2011
You carried me on your back when my high heels had become too painful to walk in.

November 24, 2011
We spent Thanksgiving in NYC with my parents, our sisters, and friends.

December 16, 2011
You helped me ring in my 25th birthday and surprised me with the best birthday present I have ever received ... a trip to Europe.

December 31, 2011
A trip to Seattle with Katie and Jonathan, we looked at the dental office that you have now bought, had great seafood and rang in the New Year three times that night.

January 6, 2012
You helped introduce NYC to two of my best friends.

February 2012
Our first Valentines day celebration.

March 1, 2012
We spent the weekend in Utah meeting each others family and friends.

March 17, 2012
St. Patty's day was celebrated in DC discovering the endless ways to use only two fingers (who needs the rest?)

April 11, 2012
This day has not happened yet, but it is your birthday. We will be in Paris and I will be so happy that I get to help you celebrate your birthday.

I hope this past year has been as great for you as it has for me, and the next will continue to get even better. Happy Birthday Thom!

Love always, Caitlin