From the time I was in high school (until Peter Jackson produced the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy) my favorite movie was Dead Poets Society because it stirred up all the zest for life in me. The powerful literary phrases in that film never seemed cliche to me: Carpe Diem! Gather ye rosebuds while ye may! Suck the marrow out of life! They honestly motivated me. But, where was my real life Mr. Keating? My breaking-the-mold mentor in 3-D?

I get all weepy when I realize, with an inexpressibly thankful heart, that the unspoken desire for such a mentor--sincere, intelligent, kind, humorous, passionate, inspiring, flawed and real, engaging while breaking the mold--stands tangibly before me.

God knows exactly what Justin I need to help us be and become who He intends, and that is here in this place born out of your obedience. Thank you for an atmosphere where I can be myself and where I have been encouraged to love and follow God with my spirit and with this interesting combination of mind and emotions He has given me.

It is an honor to work for you. It is a privilege to be a part of what God has you marked for. It is a treasure to have had my character influenced by a man of your rare quality. (Honor, privilege, treasure. Not a single one of the words is selected lightly.)

You are real coupled with compassion. There is little I respect more in a person. Who do I want to be like when I grow up? Next to Jesus and my Grandma Kate, silly as it sounds, it used to be this rock star named Bono. (Heard of him?) Now it's Jeff C. Perry. I mean it.

There is no possible way to accurately express what you mean to Justin and me. This does not even begin to scratch the surface. I pray you know it in your heart. Life IS good. Thank you so much for loving us and believing in us--and for being YOU!

Here's to bonding over iPods!
Heather Blunk with much love from Justin, too.

(Oh man, I cannot WAIT for our kids to hear your voice!!!)