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!”
