A few years ago, as our education business was growing, we reached a point where we needed help. We needed someone to lead our Customer Care Team; someone to, through a screen, serve our students joyfully and excellently; and, most important of all, to love them with empathy.
That’s when Melissa walked into our life. We thank God every day that she did.
Jordan quickly (and affectionately) nicknamed her M-Cat. That’s one way you can tell that Jordan really likes you, a nickname. M-Cat is one of the most kind, caring, patient, easy-going people we know. That’s probably her Enneagram 9. She and Amy have that in common! We all share a mutual love for Taylor Swift’s music and working from home in sweatpants –– and a VERY mutual love for dry, somewhat inappropriate, catch-you-by-surprise humor. Sometimes with M-Cat, we just don’t see the joke coming –– and then our bellies hurt because we can’t stop laughing.
She joined our team when Amy was newly pregnant with our first baby boy, Beckett, and she has watched him grow up at literally every stage of his life. They have the most special relationship. He loves her like an aunt a best friend. He always asks to play with her, call her and tries to sit in her lap every chance he gets. She’s one of the few people in this world he’d rather spend time with than us. HIS OWN PARENTS! She even babysat him for us on a night when Becks got suddenly sick. He literally threw up all over her, and she didn’t even flinch. She cuddled him like her own and took care of our sick boy. He lights up when he sees her. Words can’t express how our hearts feel watching the two of them together. She really does feel like family to all of us.
We’ll never forget the first night we met Ryan. It was M-Cat’s final interview with us –– dinner at one of our favorite places. We sat outside under the string lights and marveled at this young man. He was courteous, thoughtful and mature. He was respectful, an engaging conversationalist. He asked good questions and really listened when you answered. He was sincere. His eyes conveyed that. He was intentional and driven in his own career and life. It was clear that he was cut from special cloth. It was no wonder why she loved him so much. We knew everything we needed to know about her… by her choice in him.
We made the decision to hire her that night. Without talking to each other first. Before we ever left the table.
Since then, other than Jordan’s sister and her husband, we’ve spent more time with M-Cat and Ryan than almost any other couple. We’ve done weekend getaways together in the northern Arizona pines, played extended games of Settlers of Catan (we now regret teaching them how to play because they kick our butt), and shared many more meals outside under string lights. Every time, we flash back to that first dinner together, and thank God again for bringing Melissa and Ryan into our orbit. They have, without a doubt, been one of the greatest blessings of our entire life. AND WE PLAN TO KEEP IT THAT WAY, MEL, SO DON’T YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING, YA HEAR THAT?!
M-Cat and Ryan, we love you two more than words could ever express. We’ve been so grateful to have you as our side through so many of life’s big moments and significant seasons; and we’re so excited (and proud) to be in your corner during yours. We’re the Mickey to your Rocky. The presidents of your fan club. And possibly related by blood somewhere down the genetic line because do Jordan and Ryan look like brothers or what?!
We can’t wait for your wedding next spring, guys. Partly because it will be Becks’s one and (probably) only opportunity to be a ring bearer –– and Lord knows he’s gonna looks so grown up and adorable in a little suit –– but mostly because we couldn’t be more honored to document the next chapter in a love story, and life story, God is so clearly writing.
