four konings (& matty sioux!) dreamin' with eyes wide open: April 2009

Yesterday was a very special day for our family!! While at a conference in Kennewick, WA, Brian was given an award for:

Young Optometrist of the Year

in Washington State!

Brian had no idea about this, so let me fill you in on a little background.

Several months ago, Dr. Tosland and his wife, Jamie, along with Susan, the Office Manager, asked me to help fill out some paperwork because they wanted to nominate Brian for this award! This award is for optometrists who are doing an exceptional job serving in their practice, the profession as a whole, and mostly in the community.

Already I was so honored on Brian's behalf that they felt him worthy of such an award. Of course, being his wife, I think he could get this award every year though because of what a great doctor and person he is! : ) Realistically though, I knew that there would be many other great nominations as well, and I was excited just to know that people held him in such high regard.

I enjoyed writing down so many of the things that he is part of! So...I'm going to brag.

Brian absolutely LOVES his profession and has such a huge desire to help people see...both with their eyes, but he also hopes he helps others see God's love for them. Because of this, he naturally does things to reach this goal by doing presentations for retirement homes, doing school screenings, or by giving special eye talks to kids. He has been Society President of the his Optometric Society (OPW) for 3 years. He loves serving at our church in several ways, and this past year also helped dream up the No-Cost Vision Clinic at the Union Gospel Mission.

I didn't hear anything since the nomination was sent off, so I figured that he wasn't selected this year...that is until about a week ago. Susan called me to tell me that he indeed was chosen for the award, but she and I were sworn to secrecy or the committee chairman said she'd have Susan's head. :)

So...Susan and I schemed a plan to get me there without Brian knowing. Brian left for the conference Wednesday evening, thinking he wouldn't see me until late Sunday night. I wasn't going to go because what do you do with a 1.5 year old for 4 days at a hotel when she doesn't like to swim! Little did he know! I talked with him each evening, letting him know how much Abee was missing him and that maybe we could skype while he was there. He bought it all!

Friday morning Abee and I made the long drive out there. We got there a little early, so we spent some time at the local McDonald's Playland. Yes, Abee was in her fancy Easter dress playing on the slides!

We waited there until I got a call from another co-hort in crime, Donna, saying that it was safe to sneak into the conference center. We listened outside the door, waiting for several other business speeches and awards, and then finally they presented his award to him.

The presenter first went through a list similar to the one I gave above of some of Brian's accomplishments. Brian said that he thought it was a little funny because each thing matched what his story was. It didn't take long for him to figure out they were talking about him.

As he went up to accept his award, all the doctors and conference attendees gave him a standing ovation. So neat! Then...Brian had to give a little speech! I felt a little bad for him because he had no idea, so he didn't have time to prepare anything, but he did a wonderful job thanking them for the honor, understanding that there are many other worthy candidates out there. He also thanked those who help out with the vision clinic at the Gospel Mission. He then while looking around more, started saying something like, "I'd also like to thank my wife..." and mid sentence said, "Holy smokes! My wife is in the back with my daughter! When did you get here?!"

Of course everyone looked back at us and we waved while those around giggled!

And that was it!