Thursday, January 30, 2025
Our family had the pleasure of getting to know Ryan last year when our daughters were in the same 1st grade class. While I had known of him—how could you not?—it wasn’t until I attended Beth’s 7th birthday party with my daughter that we truly connected. Ryan had a way about him that made anyone feel immediately at ease. That day, we quickly moved past the usual birthday party small talk and bonded over our shared love of tennis and the fact that we were the oldest parents in the room. Finally, another parent in their fifties!
Our daughters eventually started taking tennis lessons together every Monday with cousin Jeremy. Those sessions became a highlight of our week—an hour filled with entertaining stories about tennis, hockey, music, life on the farm, parenting triumphs and epic fails—while we watched our daughters try to master their backhands, interrupted by occasional song and dance moves on court that only two 7-year-olds could share. Tennis lessons soon turned into playdates, family dinners, and lasting memories.
Though we didn’t know Ryan for long, I know we’ll never forget him. He made such an impact in that short time, and we will miss him.
Ryan, game, set, and match point.
