This is my brother-in-law, Ben. I adore him. In fact, I often refer to him as my third sister-in-law – we are THAT close. Ben is a pretty busy guy, but if he weren’t busy running his company then I am pretty sure I would call him on a regular basis to get his advice, to share recipes (he makes artisan bread), get his opinion on the latest films he’s watched, or the books he’s read, have him tell me all about how he plans to decorate his house etc, etc, etc.
Don’t be confused – this guy is not a sissy. He doesn’t like to watch sports – but he is still a man’s man. He likes red meat, hates to spend money (unless it is on a long board), kicks butt at work, knows how to get a deal on ANYTHING, likes to eat out of a tin can (well he did this BEFORE he married Brynn – now he eats organic – good work, Brynn!), enjoys running or long boarding through the mountains, playing pool, and has, NO JOKE, a GAZILLION friends. I have never met a person with more friends than Ben Zimmer.
The man is a social chameleon. He can go into any group of people and not only charm them but each person in that group, after meeting Ben, will think that Ben is their new best friend. The things I hear people say about Ben go something like this, “He and I just click” or “We have a unique understanding” or “He just gets me”. Yes he does. Yes he does, my friends.
The man has powers. But fear not, he uses them for good.
I am pretty convinced he could run the United States of America. He’s got charm, smarts and a work ethic like no other. He works, and works and works and works and works. He is in perpetual motion. He kind of reminds me of my dad in this respect.
He is married to this really awesome girl. She is hot. He calls her “his trophy wife” – cuz she is a few years younger than him and she does a mean hula. Let me tell you a little about the kind of husband Ben is. He is one of the most patient, loving, and kind husbands I have ever known. When he married my sister she was very sick. And she still struggles with this sickness – it means that this man who is in perpetual motion has to slow down his pace considerably. And he does this with magnificent ease. When he and Brynn stayed with us last summer I watched in awe as he took BEAUTIFUL care of her. I love him more than I can say for the way that he takes care of my sister. Bless you, Ben.
Brynn and Ben are one of those awesome couples – kind to everyone, interesting to talk to and be with, and so stink’n cool. I wish that they lived next door so that I could visit them every day (Ben wishes we lived next door to each other too, cuz we are THAT close.)
Ben has a SWELL laugh. I wish I had a recording of it so that I could listen to it daily.
He is a passionate fellow. I think this is one of the reasons he is such a fun person to be with. He loves life and he will tell you how he feels about. That and he lets YOU do all the talking. He has this gift for peppering a person with questions. Oh, he is fun to talk to!!
Ben is a major share holder..just kidding I am not going to go there, Ben – little inside joke – hee, hee (we’re THAT close!) Ben is a very modest and successful business man. He doesn’t like people to talk about it, but trust me, the guy is awesome at what he does.
Ben is also devoted to the Lord. He loves to do what is right. His Bishop, in his BYU singles ward, who also happened to be my Bishop growing up in NY, loved Ben like no other. He said that if he could invest in people he would invest everything he owned in Ben Zimmer. This Bishop’s wife called my parent’s house when she realized that Brynn was going to marry Ben. “Ben Zimmer?!” she said. “Yes”, I said. “We are excited. He is a great guy.” Then she corrected me, “Ben is divine!” Straight from the mouth of Sister Freedman. She knows of what she speaks.
Right from the moment I met Ben I knew he was a swell cat.
I love you, brother-in-law.
Happy Birthday!
P.S. El Guapo, your gift is in the mail, “It’s a sweater!”
July 6th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Ben is a great guy. I remember hearing all about how wonderful he was before I met him. I kept thinking, “Oh, yeah. Come on. He can’t be *that* great.” He was really talked up by everyone. And you know, he really is that great–he’s even better, in fact. There is no nicer guy in the world than Ben Zimmer. The Johnsonians adore him and his lovely wife. We’re better people because of the great Ben Zimmer.
Happy Birthday, Ben! You’re dawsome!
July 7th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Hooray for Benjamina! I always knew I liked Ben, but there was a special moment that really sealed the deal. It was the day that a certain sequel to a certain Disney Channel Movie came out. A few of us females in the Kelly household were very excited about said movie, but alas we couldn’t watch it in our own home because we didn’t have the channel. So guess who hosted a screening party? The Zimmers of course! I figured Ben wouldn’t be to excited about this but that day as I was buying some special plates, napkins and shirts for the festivities Ben made a special call to me to make sure everything was coming together for the party and if I needed him to do anything for it! It was the greatest thing ever. I love hanging around Ben and Brynn. They are always so fun and generous. Such good pals. Happy Birthday, Ben! You’re a champ.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Oh, Lize! Thanks so much for doing this post, especially on such little steam. I know you mentioned to Ben that you wished you could’ve done more, but I think it’s perfect. Talk about hitting the nail on the head. I know that most people say they share a special connection with Ben, but it’s really true when it comes to the Ben Zimmer/Liza Dawson bond. I get the behind the scenes scoop, you see, and he loves the Dawson fam so much, especially his sister-in-law.
Thanks again so much for this, Lize. I cried and laughed and read it twice. I’ll probably read it again when I’m done posting this. You’re the best, Lize. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
July 8th, 2009 at 11:09 am
So, after the third time through, I finally got the El Guapo joke. The first couple times I was like, “Okay, Ben’s getting a sweater from Liza. That’s cool.” But then on the third round, the spanish accent came alive in my mind and I laughed…hard.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
You guys should have seen Ben on the golf course with dad a day or two before my wedding. He had ol’ Popadukes in the palm of his hand. Asking questions, listening, nodding, interjecting occasionally, giving golf tips, laughing, asking a couple more questions, totally at ease.
I couldn’t believe it. Why? Cause let me tell you: a golf course is a stressful place. It’s just you, the ball and everyone’s eyes on you in the group for every single shot. Not easy. Especially when your with the dad of the girl your dating.
I love how Ben is very competitive. But not weird competitive like me. (In other words, he doesn’t get angry when he loses–which doesn’t happen often.) He can brush off a lost game of foosball or mini-golf with a laugh and say, “That was a great game.”
I’m so glad that Ben is more than just a “friend of the family.”
July 15th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I find I have to be careful when talking with Ben because he always seems so interested in what I’m saying…but I think that most of the time he is just being kind. But I say, “Here! Here!” to everything you have all said of Ben “Too true!”
Happy Belated Birthday Ben!