happy birthday to the real johnny.

I know I joke a lot about Johnny Depp.

And I write about Johnny Unitas a lot.

And Johnny Appleseed. And Johnny Cash.

But the fact is that there is only one Johnny. My Johnny, Mr Brilliant, the father of our two amazing girls.

And today is his birthday. (And Emma’s half-birthday!)

Have I mentioned how lucky I am to be growing old with this man?

I’ve written about him on 37days a few times:

happy birthday, johnny (2011)

happy birthday, johnny (2010)

mr brilliant is, above all, mr daddy

Those are just a few of the stories about him.

In 2010, I posted 54 reasons I love him. I’ve added two more.

1. He catches me when I’m falling.

2. He makes me laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh some more.

3. He makes good babies.

4. He is the best daddy in the universe.

5. He cooks.

6. He is curious. Insatiably so.

7. He isn’t content to ask Chef Google for a gingerbread house recipe. No, he calls the White House Chef and actually gets him on the phone.

8. He warms up the car when it’s cold.

9. He is the smartest person I know. Brilliant, even.

10. He runs after the ice cream truck for Tess.

11. He smells fantastic, a magical combination of Fahrenheit and old books.

12. He makes fun of himself.

13. He tapes lit candles to his forehead to make the kids laugh.

14. He goes out in snowstorms to help people who get stuck or who need help shoveling.

15. He runs toward people who need help when other people run away.

16. He thinks I’m beautiful.

17. He sends me flowers wherever I travel.

18. He is okay with the whole Johnny Depp tiny wee obsession.

19. He would be able to keep us alive on a deserted island.

20. He reads the sports pages and physics texts.

21. He takes me to the airport at 5am without complaining.

22. He can’t watch TV shows in which kids get hurt.

23. He holds down the fort.

24. He dresses up like a pirate and leads kids on treasure hunts during birthday parties.

25. He knows.

26. And he loves me anyway.

27. He is slightly crazy. In the best ways possible.

28. He’s cute. And the man sent me leaves to London.

29. He remembers everything he ever reads and can’t remember to pick up cat food at the store. I find this very endearing most of the time.

30. He is loyal to those he loves.

31. He endures my last-minute packing.

32. He writes a blog that makes my head explode.

33. He would do anything for me, Emma, and Tess. And does.

34. He vacuums.

35. He doesn’t suffer fools.

36. He makes lemonade stands and bookshelves for the kids.

37. He is my protector.

38. He bought me the 1930s wedding ring I wanted from Old Man Silverman. Even before he asked me to marry him.

39. He makes me really laugh with his imitations of Ted Knight as Ted Baxter and Bill Clinton as Bill Clinton.

40. He loves Jimmy Rockford and Spongebob.

41. He does science experiments with Emma and Tess and hardly ever causes explosions.

42. He cries when he laughs hard.

43. He and Emma memorized the “Who’s on First” routine when she was little.

44. He wears black jeans, white crisp shirts, and black cowboy boots.

45. He loves kid art.

46. He calls Billy Collins and William Gass and asks if they’ll talk to me.

47. He knows how electricity works.

48. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

49. He takes Tess to Daisy Scouts and to the Li-bary.

50. He sings the kids to sleep.

51. He reads five books at a time.

52. He won’t sell his red books.

53. He puts candles in everything.

54. He is my best friend.

55. He endures my endless parade of rescue pets.

56. He has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.

Happy birthday, my Johnny. I can’t imagine life without you.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

20 comments to " happy birthday to the real johnny. "
  • Jena

    Oh. Such a love. Happy birthday, Patti’s Real Johnny. 

  • Susan

    So, so, so beautiful. May all beings experience a love such as this.

  • You know that there is a plan in this big, bright Universe when you see the love and life that you two share. Happy Birthday to Patti’s Johnny !

  • I belong to a community of women who rub the head of another who has what we desire.  What a lovely tribute to your Mr. Brilliant.  I am rubbing your head from afar.

  • I Love you and Johnny together. I feel so lucky to know you both!

    Happy Birthday Mr. Brilliant

    From the Heart,
    G

  • How enormously fortunate you are to have had such a father and now this husband. It is so clear to me that the men in our lives are key to the secrets of ourselves.  I look forward to meeting you at the quilting workshop in March.

  • Marianne

    Gosh. Can you clone him please?

  • Maureen

    As one who follows John’s blog, I can attest to #32. I always read whatever John posts.

    Happy Birthday to the special person in your life who leaves you feeling so special. What a marvelous list of attributes.

  • Megan Everett

    Wow! I’m so happy for you two!! — And Happy Birthday, John (aka Mr. Brilliant)!

  • Lille Diane

    I am blessed to have a super hero like yours. I call mine Superman. They could be long lost brothers, your Johnny and my Superman. I rejoice in the love you have found in him, with him and through him. Abundant blessings to you all, Patti. Happy Birthday, Johnny!

  • NAT

    Happy Birthday, Johnny! Beautiful post, Patti! You are both blessed.

  • Avril

    It is so heartwarming to read this. Clearly the two of you are blessed beyond measure. May you continue to bask in each other’s good company for many decades to come! 

  • Princessmagpie

    i honestly didn’t know a love like yours could exist.  i am in awe.  happy birthday to the wonderful Mr. Brilliant.  and happy every single day to you, Patti, for living such a life with such a man.   good on ya both!  xo – davi

  • Davielle Huffman

    i honestly didn’t know a love like yours could exist. i am in awe. happy birthday to the wonderful Mr. Brilliant. and happy every single day to you, Patti, for living such a life with such a man. good on ya both! xo – davi     

  • brooklynchick

    Wow.  What a beautiful post and what a wonderful family you have.  Really made me smile!!!

  • Candace Gendron

    Very sweet!!

  • Jessica

    Wonderful tribute.  As I am practical to a fault — re #29, there is in fact an app for that.  Free, even (and I’m not affiliated with the company at all, just a happy user) — Cozi.com.  Shareable, real-time updateable shopping lists between Android and iPhone for those mixed-OS households, even.  You can write “cat litter” on your device, he logs in at the store on his device, gets the cat litter and checks it off the list, which you can see on your device wherever you are.  No more double-bought items, no more missed items!

  • Shannon - A Free Spirit Life

    What a lovely tribute to your sweet partner in life.

  • […] a long time. She is this amazing combination of down-to-earth love and brilliant wisdom. Her hubs, John Ptak, was just diagnosed with kidney cancer. And he doesn’t have […]

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