Dr. Tison,

The first time I met you was at the State St. house. I had just gotten back from Thailand, and I met this wonderful girl there who I then started to date. She started telling me about her friends and how they were so awesome, so obviously I had to see what this was all about. I have to admit though, before I met you face to face, I had a horrible impression of you. I really did not like you. Why you ask? Well, it all started my freshman year, when I was living in Towers dorm at Tech. My roommate and I got this awesome idea to drop full coke bottles out our third floor window and watch them explode and shoot up when they hit the sidewalk below. After we had dropped a few of them this idiot PL who lived in our dorm that I didn’t know stormed into our room on a power trip and told us to come with him to talk to the PA on our floor. So yeah, I did not have a good first impression of you. How could someone not want to see bottles explode? So this story still doesn’t make sense right?

Well, right after I got back to the U.S. I was talking with Justin, and he said that I needed to meet his friend Chris Tison because he was dating my new girlfriend’s best friend, AND because he used to be the other PL in Towers when I was living there. So I’m thinking, great, now I have to be friends with this power-tripping d-bag. So then, I’m sitting at the State St. house eating dinner with Mae, and she says “so you’ll finally get to meet Liz’s boyfriend tonight because he’s coming over.” A few minutes later you get there and come in. I’m thinking, ok, this must be one of Chris’ friends because it wasn’t Chris, and then Mae says, “this is Chris.” Needless to say I was very relieved, and apparently there are lots of PL’s that lived in Towers, so, honest mistake right? After that, I got to know you and realized that you were a great person and a great boyfriend to Liz. Now you’re an awesome husband to her, and you’re a great father. You’re a true friend, and most importantly, you’re not that loser PL.

-Buck

Happy Birthday Chris!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow! Thank you for keeping in touch after Tech and continuing to be a role model and mentor. One day I hope that I can soak in knowledge as quickly and communicate as eloquently as you do!

I miss you, Elizabeth, Bailey and Morrison being down the street. Looking forward to seeing you and meeting Noah soon!

Have a great birthday weekend,
Sonya

Happy Birthday! Love, Granny

Dear Chris,

I can't even begin to find the words to express how I feel about you.  My thoughts go back to when I was in Atlanta spending a week with Gail and Keith.  Elizabeth called and wanted us to meet you. We met at a fish restaurant in Atlanta. When I saw you, I knew you were the one I had prayed for to be her future husband.  I knew why she insisted that I tell her which college to go to and I told her she should go to Georgia Tech.  God always has a way to make our paths cross.  God sent you from Texas to Georgia to be her husband.

I am so happy to hear you call me Granny.  I look forward to hearing Noah call me Granny.  We are very blessed to have you in our family. I know God has great things stored up for you, Elizabeth and Noah.  Always let God be first and then family.  Thanks for being the person that you are for my granddaughter and my great grandson.  I love you.

Always,

Granny

Happy Birthday Chris, from Charles Goorsky

Chris,
It has been a while since I've seen you, so know that Ivie and I wish you well. I don't know if you knew this but Ivie is a member at the PHPC, where I was able to watch your and Liz's wedding many moons ago.

There have been many great memories, including smoking Antonio y Cleopatra cigars on Key West, being teammates in the Ice Bowl, meeting you with a large crew of friends in (Memorial) Houston, and celebrating your achievements in getting your PHD.
We even made a lakehouse visit right before the DC move, so now I can at least take that with me to the grave.

Congratulations on Noah, and I'm willing to bet a lot that he will soon be tackling the challenges of life in an optimistic, forward-thinking manner.

I'm glad that we spent years in (and after) college together.
Have a wonderful 30th birthday and many more.

-Charles and Ivie Goorsky

Happy Birthday! The Corleys

Dear Chris,

My first memory of you is meeting you at “Pappadeaux’s”, thinking wow, Elizabeth has snagged her a J Crew model!  And then the lost tooth changed all of that! J

We have so many great memories through the years.  The one that stands out the most to us would have to be legendary baptism pandemic.  I don’t think I have ever heard someone as sick as you were that night/day.  Our carrier monkey child put a number on all of us but you may have been the worst one of all!  I am still sorry about that weekend. 

Of course the other memories always involve your delicious meals you so graciously have prepared through the years – how lucky we have been!!  Thank you for every single one of them and we look forward to many more.

And we cannot forget about how much our kids LOVE you.  You have a special way with the kiddos.  Thank you for all of the time you have spent playing and entertaining them.  They really love you.

You, Elizabeth and Noah are so special to us and we are proud to have you as a “brother in law”.  The years to come will provide many more wonderful memories.  I am sure some unforgettable moments are coming our way with Noah and Max, we better get ready!!!

Happy 30^th!  We hope you have a great one. 

We miss you and love you!

Jessica, Buster, Ava and Max

Love, Dad

Dear Chris,

Wow, has time flown by. I need only to look at Noah to remind me how far you have gone in your life. I think back to the times I would sit you on the roll top desk so we could work. I just recently saw the “data and important figures” you added to my CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. You could only have been 4 or 5 when you did this – who knew you would one day conduct research in polymers synthesis, colloidal science, tissue engineering, and stem cell biology.

When I held Noah last week, I remembered how you and I would explore the house on Conrad Sauer. We watched the ceiling fans “go round and round” and learned about everything in the house. Your blue eyes were wide open and taking in everything. I remember a trip to Arkansas when you were three to see your great grandfather’s cabin. It wasn’t much of a cabin, so we stayed in a hotel, had pizza for dinner and you had a great time jumping from one bed to the other. That was our first road trip.

It wasn’t long before we were collecting data for school science projects. By the time you reached middle school, you were quickly surpassing my ability to help with school work. By the time you were in high school, I was done being able to help you, and I am nowhere near page 205 in the book titled “Programmable, Isothermal Disassembly of DNA-Linked Colloidal Particles.

When we first visited Georgia Tech, we stayed in the Holiday Inn across the street from the  school. We had a hard time finding the school, much less the hotel that night. We had to take the sheets off the beds and shake them off before we could go to sleep – never a good sign. The college years seem like a blur, they went by so fast. I’m not sure who was more surprised to see you one afternoon, Mom or me, when you made a surprise visit back to Houston. You knocked on the back door and came on in like you had just been down the street visiting friends!

I was just looking at your PhD graduation pictures and wondering where the last two and a half years have gone. When you called to let me know that you and Elizabeth were expecting, I was so happy, I didn’t have words.    

So you are now turning 30 and have a beautiful child. Noah is a fifth generation Kirby. Your great grandfather would be very proud of you and amazed that he has a great-great grandson named Kirby. 

I am so very proud of you.

Happy 30^th birthday!

Love always,

Dad 

Love, The Boykins

This is from Georgia…word for word!

Chris, I just love you, Chris!!  You are such a little joker.   I remember when you told me Aunt Shorty was going to sleep outside.  That was one of your jokes.  You are so sweet to me, and I miss you so much.  I love going on boat rides with you and jumping to you in the water.  You throw me so good in the water.  You are so nice to me.   You are just so good at being a Daddy to Noah.  I miss you so much and hope I get to see you, Elizabeth and Noah really soon!!  I hope your birthday is awesome and I am so glad you are part of my family.  If I could ever say yes to anything, it would be for you Chris!  I love you!!  

Love, Georgia

Happy 30^th Birthday, Chris!!!  I love that we both have October birthdays.  From the moment you and Elizabeth started dating I knew you were going to get married and that you would become part of our family.  You have always been such a positive influence in my life.  I loved it when I got to be in your wedding, and all of the fun times at the lake and at the beach.  I will never forget you getting in the water with me teaching me how to ski.  I love how you always write a special note to me in the book that you give me for Christmas every year.   I admire you and look up to you so much.  You are an amazing Daddy to Noah, and I love getting to spend time with you, Elizabeth and Noah.   I love you, and wish you the happiest of birthdays!!  

Love, Mary Ashley

 

Happy Birthday, Chris!!  What a special birthday this is for you in so many ways.   Not only are you moving into a new decade, you are celebrating with an absolutely adorable, precious blessing…sweet Noah.   You are such an incredible father to Noah…so attentive, caring and nurturing.  I had no doubt  that you would be.  You have always loved and cared for our girls in a way that speaks volumes about the man you are.  I will never forget the first time you and Elizabeth met Georgia at Aunt Shorty’s house.  You lied on the floor beside her on the blanket and just talked to her.  She grinned ear to ear at 4 weeks old, and has loved you like crazy ever since.   Mary Ashley has always looked up to you, and truly admires you.  I’ll never forget the smile on her face when you danced with her at your wedding.  Thanks for being such a strong positive force in their lives.  I only wish we lived closer so we could spend more time with you, Elizabeth and Noah.   We wish you the sweetest of blessings as you move into your 30’s.  There is no doubt that God’s hand is wrapped tightly around you and your precious family.  I am just thankful that we get to share in your lives.  We love you!   

Paige & George