So I’m sitting here in the hospital and non emotional Brian is getting a little emotional but it’s not just because it’s baby day. Today, one of my greatest wishes came true, Mattie Paige Smeltzer was born at 2:08 (8lbs 1oz and 20.5in long). I have the pure joy of naming her after my good friend Matthew Hallman. I have been waiting for about 5 years to have a child that I could pass the name onto because of what an amazing man of God he was. When Matt was killed in by a drunk driver, I was shocked and beside myself for about a week. What I always new but saw reinforced at his funeral was that Matt was the same person with every group of people he knew, whether it was his family, hometown friends, theatre friends, camp friends or even random people, everyone had the same stories and descriptions of him. He had figured out in his short time here how to be the same Matt to everyone. Every group of students I have worked with has heard about him and his story. In fact, I tagged as many of my friends who I could remember knowing him to attest to who he was. Just yesterday I was talking with his brother Tim about why it was so important to me and I still get excited thinking about being able to introduce my child in honor of one of my dearest friends and the man who has continually impacted the lives of hundreds of students through how he lived.
Because of this, I wanted more than anything to be able to pass his name on to one of my children and be able to tell them why they have their name and why it is so important to me. Mattie, I want you to know that I want you to find your authentic self and live it to your full potential, like my dear friend Matt Hallman. Know that there will be challenges and struggles along the way but in the end, people will know the real you and be blessed by you for life. Welcome to our world, Mattie Paige.