Earlier this day Kyle accepted a new job. Just a few hours later I drove the kids downtown where we told them the news over dinner at the Aquarium - just blocks from Kyle's office of six years. They thought the news was cool for all of two minutes. Kyle and I laughed at their lack of enthusiasm. I guess we signed ourselves up for that reaction when we plunked them down at a table 10 feet from a 500,000 gallon tank full of gigantic sea life. The thought was for them to remember this evening for years to come, right? I think they will remember but maybe for different reasons than we anticipated. Essentially, the new job won't affect their lives all that much other than seeing a little more of dad. That's a good thing.
Kyle will transition from firm life to go in house for a local industrial gas company. He'll officially do that on Jaden's birthday a week from today. We've been looking forward to this change for quite some time. His time at a big firm has not been a piece of cake but it has been the road that has brought us, happily, to this point. Looking back I can't help but notice the similarities in Kyle's work ethic during law school and his first job. He's kept his nose to the ground and excelled in whatever was required of him. He remembers sitting in his section the first day of law school. He scanned the room that day and thought, "I may not be the smartest guy in the room but no one will out work me." Kyle definitely paid his dues in school and work these past nine years. Often times when work became unbearable I think Kyle had good perspective. He was continually grateful for the opportunity to work and for experience he was gaining. He'd often say, after an especially long week or even month, "There's always someone else who has it worse. I'm just grateful to have a job." I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be my reaction when in the thick of it. I'm learning from Kyle all the time and I appreciate his positive outlook. And I'm very pleased that our kids have his example that I hope they'll emulate. They'll go far in life if they will pattern themselves after Kyle in most things but especially his work ethic, attitude and lack of entitlement. I'm sure all of this sounds pretty over-the-top but I don't take it for granted. I grew up in a home that lacked this example and prioritization. I am proud of all of Kyle's efforts and achievements with regard to providing for our family.
As trying as those times may have been for Kyle, I can tell you that nothing holds a candle to how nerve-racking the interview process was for him these past few weeks. I laughed at the analogy he used early on while his firm was unaware he was looking for another job. He likened his situation to being married to the firm and having two girlfriends on the side. "Girlfriends" being defined as the two potential job offers that were, ironically, heating up in the same week. That really is a lot to juggle and Kyle did not wear it well. He was so unsettled. I wanted to pour cold water on the poor guy. And then remind him that he'd soon be divorcing his figurative wife (Baker Botts) and choosing only one, new, really good looking, girlfriend (if the feelings were mutual). And that ultimately, the icing on the cake was that he still had a smokin' hot literal wife. :) I'm kidding. However, I do not kid when I hope that his new girlfriend treats him well and that they have a very long future together.
Here they are waiting for Kyle to get my car that was parked under his building. Walking the few blocks back with him was just too much after stuffing ourselves . . . and it was blistery hot the first time we walked over. Not to mention that Ty is a slow poke. While Kyle got the car I snapped this shot that has Kyle's office building in the background. It is the taller white building with the over sized antenna (or at least I think that's what that is). So long Baker Botts and downtown.
