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Setting up our first meeting and wondering if anyone will even show up

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Setting up our first meeting and wondering if anyone will even show up

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I hope that today you can take some time to sit down with a smooth cup of Paris tea (or maybe one of your fabulous espressos), and enjoy this scrapbook of birthday messages! Thank you for spending the past four years opening your doors for us on Friday nights full of tea, scones, and friends. You helped cultivate such a warm and welcoming culture in Linn-Mathews that has lasted beyond our time spent in its hallways. L-M was the first place I felt at home in college, and so much of that was because of you. Not just the fancy cheeses and fruit tarts you would always spoil us with, but the squealing “Marinaaaaa!!!” I would be greeted with anytime I walked through your door. Even after I moved out of housing I always felt welcome back in BJ for more nights of CtM fun. And not to mention the yearly trips to the Drake for our High Tea you so generously treated us all to! You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and I am so lucky to have had you as my RH and as a cherished friend. Have a wonderful birthday!!!

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Thank you for being such a kind, strong, wonderful force in my life. You helped make Linn-Mathews -- and UChicago as a whole -- feel like home. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd have made it through my first quarter, let alone first year, without you as my RH. You have profoundly influenced my approach to life and living, and have made me a kinder, more patient person, both when it comes to others and to myself.

Thank you for your warmth. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for checking in on me when I was obviously struggling and when I seemed to be doing fine. Thank you for finding me gluten-free study breaks. Thank you for sitting with me in the ER and reciting poetry. Thank you for helping me graduate and develop the skills that are now helping me lead a fulfilling, meaningful life despite tumult and challenge. You dedicate so much time and care to the people around you. I hope that you feel the care and love that your communities have for you, today and far beyond. Happy birthday, Ryan. <3

Love,
Caroline

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I hope you are having a wonderful birthday, full of love, laughter, and yummy treats (scones and clotted cream, perhaps? :D )! Thank you for being such a formative and meaningful part of both my time at UChicago and my life in general. During my first year in college, I withdrew from social life to a large extent, for a variety of reasons.  But you were a constant warm presence who was always there no matter what. And then that night during our second year when Marina and I came by and you had Call the Midwife playing on your TV turned my whole world upside down (in the best way possible). Marina and I had already bonded over our love for this show, and your willingness to open your home to us to host regular Call the Midwife nights was one of the best things that ever happened to me. We slowly built such a strong community (from wondering whether anyone would even show up during our first meeting, to wondering if we would have enough food for everyone just a few months later), one that lasted  after Marina and I moved out of the house, and even in the midst of a pandemic, and which I hope will continue on into the future.
No matter what troubles I was going through in classes and in my personal life, I always knew that every other Friday I'd get to connect with friends over a cup of hot Paris tea, some finger sandwiches and scones, and some graphic birth scenes and Sister Monica Joan quotes. All this was possible because of you! Thank you for being the best RH we could have asked for--you are such a kind, empathetic, and wonderful human being, and you deserve only the best, both on your birthday and all the other days!!

Love,
Dasha

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Throwback to this lovely artistic rendering by Leo

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Throwback to this lovely artistic rendering by Leo

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Ryan, your warm and nurturing spirit has helped so many others- myself included. You are respected and adored by so many, and you are such an important person to me. Thank you for always embodying grace and kindness, and I hope you have the very best of birthdays.

Love,
Linda

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Spread from the first ever Call the Midwife night!

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Spread from the first ever Call the Midwife night!

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Thank you for making living in the house a DELIGHT during all four years of undergrad! I miss you and the house very much. Hope you have a lovely day!

-Rick

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Dasha and Marina's last in-person CtM <3

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Dasha and Marina's last in-person CtM <3

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Thank you for being such a great support to me over the years. I hope this is an amazing birthday and so is every afterwards. I have so many wonderful memories with you that I will cherish always. Thanks for being such a blessing!

Love,

Jhada 🎉🥳💞💖

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Happy birthday, Ryan!! Thank you so much for everything that you do for the house, we all love you very much! :-)

— Justin

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I am so thankful to have you in my life. I really appreciate everything you have done for me and all the conversations about school, life, making a difference, and faith that we have had. I love you so much and don't know what I would do without you!

Love,
Lisa

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-The fearless leaders

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I am drooling...

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Geese looking fly at breakfast at the Drake!

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Geese looking fly at breakfast at the Drake!

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I hope you are having a wonderful day.
I would just like to say thank you so much for welcoming us into your home multiple times a week. Throughout my time at UChicago you always gave me a safe place to land whether after a stressful day or when I was full of energy.
You really are LMs dad in so many ways and you helped ground me and take the time to be with friends. Thank you so much! I miss you and hope you have a wonderful birthday

Ashby

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Wishing you an amazing birthday, you deserve the best! You are such a kind and wonderful person that I am so lucky to know. Some of my happiest memories are of Linn-Mathews and specifically the many Call the Midwife nights that I’ll cherish. You created a space for everyone to unwind and enjoy quality TV, company, food and tea. Being met with a warm and sincere hug as we entered your apartment set the stage for the many happy nights. I hope that your birthday is as wonderful as you are! I miss you!
<3 Amber

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I hope you have a fantastic birthday! You are so kind and smart and compassionate, and I am so lucky I know you. Thank you for being so supportive and helpful, and I hope you have a fabulous birthday with lots of CTM and cake! (Hopefully it's chocolate :D)

Ellie

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I wish you all the best on your birthday! You are one of the kindest and most compassionate persons that I know, and it was so so great getting to know you over my college years. I remember when I first came to UChicago from Vietnam and you were one of the first people that I met at the school. You definitely helped made the transition process much much easier for me. Thank you for showing me how to use the washing machines in the pit. Thank you for lending me your philosophy books. Thank you for welcoming us into your home every week. Thank you for the awesome treats. And thank you for listening. I appreciate you so much.

Long

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You're an incredible RH and a one-of-a-kind person. It was always easy for me to feel welcome in LM despite not being as engaged in the house as others, and I think you were--and are--a big reason for that. The times I went to Call of the Midwife and other study breaks have a warm place in my heart. You deserve the best in all regards, and today especially. I hope you have a fantastic day.

Camrick

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I'm so grateful and happy that you're my RH. You've always done so much to make me a part of LM, and Call the Midwife and the other study breaks that you helped host definitely rank among the highlights of my weeks. Your always greeting me as I walked in - even if I was twenty minutes "late" - and the amazing food you helped serve (cream puffs!!!) mean a lot to me. Thanks so much for all you do.

Rahul

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I hope you have an amazing and British-comedy filled day!! I've been so lucky to have you as my RH... you are so dedicated to everyone in the house and you made me feel so welcome. Your kindness and great personality are infectious and your study breaks were the best! Do enjoy those British sit-coms for me! And know that you are so appreciated by so many!

Lots of Love,
Gabe G.

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Over the past five years, I've gotten to know you as a friend, a mentor, and a role model. You have become one of the most important people in my life, and I am so fortunate to share so many memories with you. I wish we could have had a picture taken during graduation, but alas, another thing lost to the pandemic. Anyway, I hope you're able to celebrate your special day to the fullest, and I'm wishing you the best with all things moving forward. And you have my number, don't be a stranger!

Love,
Angel

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house of Linn-Matthews legend, icon, MUTHA!!! supreme mutha of the house of Linn-Matthews givinggggg black intellectual teas, cooking up study break realness, serving everything for the girls, carrying for the girls....PERIOD

- khephren >:-)

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Ryan,

Thank you for inviting me into your House and home five years ago.  In that time you've been a calming presence and guiding hand, and I'm eternally grateful for your being in my life.  I'm blessed to know you!

Kyle

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I found this in my photo archive. <3 -Caroline

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Ryan,

I can't thank you enough for welcoming all of us to LM, moving heaven and earth to make BJ's old walls feel not just like a house, but like a true home. I'll always treasure the ups, the downs, the good that far outweighed the bad, of the last four years - and the lessons you passed on, which I'll carry with me for many more years to come.

I know I speak for a generation of LMers past and present when I say that you've made our time here truly special, and I'm constantly awed by the time, the energy, and most of all the genuine care you put into helping others - in and beyond the confines of campus.

Andy

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Happy Birthday Ryan! You really are the best, and I'm so grateful to you for everything you've done with LM. I really hope you have a wonderful birthday, you deserve a giant cake and everything good. In the world. Your continuous support of me and the house really allowed to become a better person and leader, and without your leadership my college experience would have been way worse. I will be forever grateful for your presence! This photo of you reminds me to add a little flair at all times (note the leaf in your pocket).

<3 Charlotte

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Hi Ryan!! Hope you are doing well. You have been such an amazing RH. Coming by your apartment for study break was always one of my favorite parts of LM; it was a space that always felt welcoming and supportive and that's because of you. I really appreciate all you've done for the house and for being a literal icon of LM. Wish you have an amazing birthday.
- Claire

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HOWWWWWWDY! Ugh I miss this so much.

Hi Ryan! It's Bruno. It's been a long time since we really talked, but I still feel like I could just drop by your apartment and ask for some advice or just talk about music. I think this is exactly what summarizes your success as an RH - you've fostered a community of very different, at times at odds people, that can coexist and love each other. I've missed you so, so much and I am incredibly proud of having been a student in your dorm. We've had hard conversations, funny conversations, interesting and wacky conversations. We've cried and laughed together, and that's something, you know?

I'm leaving Chicago in 3 weeks, and I am terrible at keeping up with people. It saddens me to think of all the great friends I've made here that will drift away, but I believe friendships have an inherent value in how we remember and cherish those that have gone through our lives, even if they are not here anymore. It is very possible we don't talk much again, and that sucks. But I know that no matter if we're lifelong friends or if I never see you again, I'll carry the love and care you so clearly foster for your community forever with me. I love you so fucking (laaaanguage!) much, Ryan, and I hope you have the best birthday you could ever hope for.

Goodbye, for now. Keep being the great community member, mentor, friend and man you are.

Bruno

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A call the midwife spread from when I was leeching food from the house even before I officially became an RA for it lol (Spring 2019)

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A call the midwife spread from when I was leeching food from the house even before I officially became an RA for it lol (Spring 2019)

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Ryan, I've only known you for one year of my time at the university (and a global pandemic-filled one at that), but I can't imagine my college experience not including you and the opportunities I've had to work with and learn from you. I want to keep this pretty short since I have faith that we will very much keep in touch in the future--whatever it may hold--through text, music, or other means. Just know that I am deeply grateful for whatever circumstances in my life that brought me to meeting you, and I hope you're able to find some sense of relaxation and joy on your special day this year.

--RA Sam

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Looking back on three years of CtM, I can say that it’s truly one of my fondest memories from my time in Chicago. To have you invite us all into your home every other week was an indication of your willingness to go above and beyond for the House, and I will be forever grateful for that! So many good memories of good food and great friends, as well as hours of thoughtful conversation, House table discourse, and ER companionship, all of which would be incomplete without you. You have been a greater RH than I ever could have asked for and perhaps the most thoughtful, considerate man I’ve ever met.

happy birthday Ryan King Priester

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Two radiant humans in peak health accompany an invalid to breakfast and a play 

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Two radiant humans in peak health accompany an invalid to breakfast and a play 

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The night that RKP wore Linda Trey’s scarf better than her 

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The night that RKP wore Linda Trey’s scarf better than her 

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Wishing you all the best on your birthday!  Thank you for all of your support and guidance, and for being an excellent proverbial Papa Goose.  Though my attendance at events like CtM was less regular than others, I know I (and the rest of the House) truly appreciate how engaged and encouraging you are with house events such as this!  Thank you for a great house experience thus far and for more to come!

Best,

Nathan

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Coming into UChicago, I was so nervous about fitting in and finding my place on campus. But from the very beginning, you always went out of your way to make LM a warm and welcoming place for everyone, and quickly my worries were dispelled.

That welcoming spirit is perhaps best captured in the CtM tradition. I am so grateful that you would open up your home to us, giving us a place to laugh, to cry (on occasion), to eat too many scones, and just to enjoy the company of our fellow geese.

I am not sure what the next year of college will bring, but looking back I feel so overwhelmingly lucky to have been placed into LM and so appreciative of everything that you have done for us.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday! You deserve it!

<3
Margaret

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Have an amazing birthday, Ryan! We will beat Vincent in Iron Chef next year for sure! I also can’t wait for the house to progress in Buffy so we can reach the musical episode! Miss all the snacks and warm house gatherings <3 -Devon