August 10, 2009
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Happy Birthday Jamie!
Back before I knew Jim very well, and long before I had the faintest inkling we would be married someday with two kids, I already knew he was going to have Jamie. He told me.
We were on a “group” walk down Saginaw, Flint Michigan’s illustrious downtown, when Jim steadily maintained amidst teasing, that his firstborn son would be James E. Ramsey IV, just like he’d been James E. Ramsey III and so forth. At the time I obviously could care less, four years later when I was four months pregnant and a bundle of hormonal tears, I cared a whole lot more. I hated it, “James” was so…old fashioned… and normal…and worst of all, the “E.” in their middle name stands for Earl. That’s right, James Earl Ramsey. Like James Earl Jones: “Luke, I am your father” but worse. I fought long and hard against it, and in the end Jim changed his mind and agreed that we could name him something else, problem is he did as good a job changing my mind as I did his (a frequent problem in this household), and I no longer despised the idea of a fourth James Ramsey running around. Good thing I did too, because Britney Spears stole my chosen name a mere few weeks after Jamie was born. I’d hate to think that was an unfortunate coincidence.I haven’t regretted the naming of Jamie once in the last four years I’ve known him. I may have inherited my great grandmothers china, but Jamie inherited a whole heritage in his name. It would have been different if Jim were an ass hole, his father an alcoholic, and his grandfather abusive, but instead it’s the opposite and Jamie has big shoes to fill if he plans on living up to the three generations of godly men who have worn the name well. (despite the one time Jim got into trouble with our insurance company for a speeding ticket he supposedly got 20 years before he was even born).
That, and the name seems to come with incredible stubbornness and the same exact terrible handwriting.
I wish you luck Jamie. Happy Fourth Birthday.
Comments (12)
What awesome pictures, and what an awesome heritage!
And what an adorable story. Love love LOVE it.
P.S. Have always loved your sons’ more traditional names. It’s awesome. You and Peggy Wells both! Talk about some juicy heritage in names.
Michael and I hate common names. ;p Michael Wang is the Chinese John Smith. Heck, he got an acceptance letter for an internship that he didn’t apply for once. (He didn’t get to keep it) So… don’t be surprised if you see my kid turn out to be some Gretchen Ermengilde Wang.
one of the best bday posts i’ve read. =)
Thumbs up….. since there’s no “like” button.
Happy Birthday James Earl Ramsey IV!
Aww that’s so sweet…what a cool story.
Happy birthday Jamie! 
I love the pictures and the history! Too cute! Can’t believe how old he is! It just seems like yesterday we were newlyweds living in Alpine…:) How is the Family? It’s been too long!
Happy Birthday to Jamie! I’m sure he’ll make is fun
Happy Birthday, Jamie.
beautiful. i always read your blog, not just b/c i love you and your family, but, i know i’ll sample stellar writing. it makesmehappy.
happy birthday, jamie~*!
happy birthday, jaime! what an amazing heritage he has wound up in that name! apparently my first born son will be named samuel, whether i like it or not. fortunately, i can give him whatever middle name i choose, and call him by that. samuel just has to be on the birth certificate.