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Thankful Tharpey’s

Thankful Tharpey’s

A little peak at some recent work with @afehouston

A little peak at some recent work with @afehouston

A little peak at some recent work with @afehouston

A little peak at some recent work with @afehouston

A little peak at some recent work with @afehouston

Sun up to sun down... @filmlabtx is out here making magic happen all around The H! 🤘

Celebrating our Queen // 🫶 @mrstharpey

Celebrating our Queen // 🫶 @mrstharpey

Celebrating our Queen // 🫶 @mrstharpey

Celebrating our Queen // 🫶 @mrstharpey

Celebrating our Queen // 🫶 @mrstharpey

Shai in the good light // On set with @loroeats + @filmlabtx

So proud of these two kiddos! Ender just started guitar lessons in December, while Nova only started bass lessons in March, but they both showed up big for their first recital!

Ender went first, and played Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”, lead lines and all. The Nova joined him for a duet playing The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”, and I just swooned in the crowd.

I love seeing them find their gifts and passions, along with the whole fam that came out to show their support. Even got the two of them to bust out their best rockstar pose 🤘

So proud of these two kiddos! Ender just started guitar lessons in December, while Nova only started bass lessons in March, but they both showed up big for their first recital!

Ender went first, and played Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”, lead lines and all. The Nova joined him for a duet playing The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”, and I just swooned in the crowd.

I love seeing them find their gifts and passions, along with the whole fam that came out to show their support. Even got the two of them to bust out their best rockstar pose 🤘

So proud of these two kiddos! Ender just started guitar lessons in December, while Nova only started bass lessons in March, but they both showed up big for their first recital!

Ender went first, and played Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”, lead lines and all. The Nova joined him for a duet playing The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”, and I just swooned in the crowd.

I love seeing them find their gifts and passions, along with the whole fam that came out to show their support. Even got the two of them to bust out their best rockstar pose 🤘

I’m gonna miss you, coach! Thank you to all the incredible humans who packed the building to celebrate my dad today. We’ll never forget your love and support! 🫶

Hug your people 🫶

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

I’m running out of tears on this one. The last words I said to my father were “I love you, dad.” as he walked to his car at sunset on Sunday, but it wasn’t because I had any thought that he would be taken from us 12hrs later. I thought this man was going to outlive me. He was Super Mike.

He was the first storyteller in my life. He was the first music lover in my life. He was the first hero in my life. (He’s legitimately saved half a dozen people’s lives). I shared almost every one of his birthday dinners with him, because he insisted we celebrate me too (2 days after). His loyalty to the ones he loved was unmatched. He was a constant example of selfless love and care for others, despite having been equipped with almost none of those tools from his own childhood.

He never had a loyal, loving father figure to show him how to express love and care, and despite that - this man loved and provided for my mom for 51yrs, and they created a heritage of 3 kids & spouses, with 14 grandkids who absolutely cherish him.

Mike Tharpe was the first miracle in my life, and I have to honor him for all that I cherish in this life. He told every stranger he met (*he never met a stranger), just how proud he was of his children, so I’m going to do the same for him:

Dad, I’m so proud to be your son.

Mila’s gentle reminder to stop and smell the flowers 💐🥹

Mila’s gentle reminder to stop and smell the flowers 💐🥹

Taking a moment to bow to our sensei! 🙏 We had the pleasure of working with Chuck on what would prove to be the final film of his incredible career. He’s the rare type of legend who lives up to all of your expectations when you meet him in person. Thanks for sharing your joy for life with the rest of us, Mr. Norris! 🙌

Taking a moment to bow to our sensei! 🙏 We had the pleasure of working with Chuck on what would prove to be the final film of his incredible career. He’s the rare type of legend who lives up to all of your expectations when you meet him in person. Thanks for sharing your joy for life with the rest of us, Mr. Norris! 🙌

Taking a moment to bow to our sensei! 🙏 We had the pleasure of working with Chuck on what would prove to be the final film of his incredible career. He’s the rare type of legend who lives up to all of your expectations when you meet him in person. Thanks for sharing your joy for life with the rest of us, Mr. Norris! 🙌

Long overdue: The tale of Mila’s minivan birth 😮‍💨 We’re no strangers to wild birth stories. Our first four were home births with their own plot lines, we’ll save those for another time. When we learned about our last little blessing, we decided to change it up and use a birthing center.

(One week before due date)
4:35am, Rachel shakes me out of REM sleep. “Babe, I think it’s time.” I jump up ready to sprint, she slows me and calls her parents. We wake the girls, I grab the go-bags and try to remember where I left the keys.

Everything feels peaceful. Early-labor excitement.

I ask what music she wants, and she lets out a deep, ancient groan every husband of a home-birth mama knows by heart. We lock eyes. No more early labor. This is a race.

4:48am, flashers on, I’m driving our noble Honda Odyssey like Vin Diesel with a mortgage. Nova wide-eyed in the front seat, Petra squeezing Rachel’s hand in the back. Rachel breathes through contractions and still comforts Petra between each wave. She grabs the ceiling handle, the universal mom reflex for “I love you but I don’t trust your driving,” and rides it out while I launch over the train tracks.

4:56am, we drift into the birthing center parking lot. The midwife is a minute away. I open the sliding door and Rachel says, steady as sunrise, “I’m not getting out. It’s happening here.”

Seat back. Towels everywhere. Petra whispers a prayer. No panic in Rachel’s eyes, only trust.

With the next contraction, Mila slips into my hands and onto her mama’s chest while Nova and Petra cry happy tears into the phone, shouting to the midwife, “Oh my God, she’s here and she’s beautiful!”

Rachel and I catch eyes for one second, that quiet little photograph you keep forever, before the world rushes back in with first breaths and warm towels.

And there sat our makeshift mobile birthing unit, parked crooked across three spots, doors open, flashers blinking like a lighthouse. Holy ground that looked like a hot mess in a parking lot.

We said we wanted to change it up this time.
Happy 2nd birthday, Mila girl. You came into this world surrounded by love, courage, and one very faithful Odyssey. 🚐💛