Hello and welcome! My name is Andy Decker and I am so happy you stopped by! My gorgeous wife Jayme and I have been married for over 8 years and have three adorable children–Lucy, Sophia, and you guessed it, our “happy” Graham.

Jayme and I were single for several years before we met. I was 27 years old and had kind of given up on trying to find “the one.” My wife and I met at a church singles activity and the rest is history.

I am the luckiest man in the world to have such an amazing family. The five of us are enjoying learning and growing each day as we navigate the life of a young family. 

When we found out we were having a boy after two girls, we were so excited. I too have 2 older sisters and am the only boy. We are still not sure if God has another child in store for us or not, but we will see what happens. 

When deciding on names for our son, we went with the name of a main character from my favorite movie, The Holiday. Graham Simpkins (played by Jude Law) is a single father of 2 daughters, a book editor and just a loving dad who does all he can to make his children happy while still trying to find joy himself. I relate to his character in so many ways, not just because he “cries more than any woman you’ve ever met […] a good book, a great film, a birthday card, [he] weep[s]. He’s a “major weeper.” He does the best he can in everyday life with all the stresses he has on his shoulders. Like he says, “I’m a full-time dad. I’m a working parent. I’m a mother and a father. I’m a guy who reads parenting books and cookbooks before I go to sleep. I spend my weekends buying tutus. I’m learning to sew. I’m Mr. Napkin Head!” I think whether you are single, a parent(s), a single parent, we all have stresses of life. Sometimes, we just need to put a napkin on our face and laugh with our children, friends and family.

When Graham came along, we noticed that he has such a happy demeanor. He is always smiling and laughing and each and every day he does things that just makes us happy! He is my little buddy and I freaking love hanging out with him!

Growing up, in school we would get things called “Happy Grams” delivered to our desks on colored cardstock paper for doing great work or going above and beyond to be kind to another student etc. I used to love receiving Happy Grams and ever since we had Graham, I wanted to do something with the play on words and call it “Happy Graham.” So, here we are. You are reading my very first “Happy Graham.” The plan is going to be to each time I post a new “Happy Graham” I will be able to share it with all of you. Keep a lookout in the coming months of a way to subscribe to our regular delivery of all new Happy Grahams.

My goal with starting this personal blog is to share the happiness I feel from Graham and share it with the world. Even though it can be hard sometimes to look for the happiness in the world of chaos we live in.

Whenever I call my dad overwhelmed with life or any situation he always says, “Son, just take it one day at a time.” As annoying as that can be, especially when I am overwhelmed with life, that statement is so true and helpful. Coupled with my dad’s advice, one of my favorite quotes from Gordon B. Hinckley says, “In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”

So, here at Happy Graham, my goal is to help others share in the joy of fun and laughter as well as sharing things that help not to just endure life, but ENJOY it! I hope you enjoy every time I post a “Happy Graham.” I will try to do them various times during the month, but you can find me more on the daily posting on Instagram and TikTok. 

So, here it is. Happy Graham is here. As nervous as I was to start something, I am choosing to take a leap and give this whole personal blogging a try and see what happens. I don’t know if you have ever heard of the Children’s Book, “Never Let a Unicorn Scribble.” One of my favorite quotes from the book is:  

So the next time you hear, a unicorn shouldn’t scribble, just remember…all great art starts with a scribble…and even unicorns have to start somewhere.

Diane Alber

So basically, I am going to take this advice and I invite you all to do the same.

Quit waiting for things to happen to you. Don’t wait for them to be perfect. Do something daring and bold and get it out into the void and make all the scribbles you can. Who knows what masterpieces will become of them! 

Andy

And remember, to smile, be happy, and brighten someone else’s day!