I meant to behave but there were too many other options.

August 2, 2019–

The kid is fairly docile the majority of the time, and sometimes, he can be a handful of ornery! Argumentative, articulate and athletic, this is a young man with a bright future in front of him. He’s a natural born salesman who has never met a stranger. Here’s the thing about Luke Wiese…he always makes me smile. We should never neglect to notice the importance of a person with this gift!

Luke loves to start trouble just to hear the conversation play out. It makes me laugh. He’s stubborn and combative, but in the most charming way imaginable. He’s anything but ordinary. He’s a talker, a force to be reckoned with, and a young man who should not be underestimated. In the Thieme house, we picture him as a lawyer or a future politician– or both! Luke is a kid who is comfortable speaking to people of all ages. He’s confident and incredibly intelligent. I don’t mean to disparage young people when I say this, but it’s true in my estimation that many young adults are just poor communicators. They are experts at texting and snap chat, but many can’t hold a conversation. In fact, many don’t realize that the “phone” part of the word “cellphone” means you can actually place a call and TALK to another human. If my son, Nick Fred, is on a phone call, I know with a fair amount of certainty that he’s speaking to either his grandfather or his friend Luke Wiese. He’s the last man born in 1997 who makes actual phone calls. Ha? I can’t help myself…I just really like him.

When I first noticed Luke, he was playing freshman basketball at Guerin Catholic on the same team as Nick. He was quick and cagey, a standout for his athleticism. He moved on from hoops and focused on tennis shortly after that and ended up playing tennis at Ball State before chronic shoulder injuries got the better of him. He’s now spending his summer studying for the LSAT in Washington DC, where he is a student at American University.

Luke turns 22 today. He’s pictured above at the left with friends (including our Nick) in our kitchen. He and my oldest son, Nick, have remained good buddies. They seem to enjoy a lot of the same things and spend an extraordinary amount of time in my presence arguing about super important things like their golf games and the Pacers, ha? As anxious as he sometimes is to be right, he’s even more loyal as a friend. He’s also a handsome kid with a winsome attitude who has never let his diabetes stop him for a second, and he’s got a fantastic sense of humor. There’s a lot to admire about this gifted young man.

As you celebrate your birthday today, I just wanted you to know that you are always welcome at the Thieme house, kiddo! It’s hard for me to admit it, but I miss you!! We happen to love all kinds– even crazy smart, right-fighting goofballs– over here. You make us giggle and we love what a great friend you are to Nick. You, young man are irreplaceable! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE! I hope your day is as fantastic as you!