Today, our son Bill turned 40. It would have been poignant if his dad could have joined our virtual celebration. We are both so proud of the man Bill 3 has become.

I decided to tackle a home-made apple pie to honor the day. First, to celebrate Bill's 40th birthday. Second, to honor Bill, my husband, because building apple pies was always his contribution.

I honestly can't remember when Bill decided to take up apple pie baking. Back in our Northway days, a gal by the name of Ruth Ray worked at the Northway Airport Lodge Cafe. People would literally fly from other places in Alaska just to have a slice of Ruth's pie. I specifically remember one time when a flight crew from Eielson Air Force Base was on a practice mission. They flew into Northway and picked up several pies to head back home with. Ruth gave us her crust recipe. Having that recipe in his back pocket, Bill proceeded to perfect apple pies for our family and friends.

I remember one of our first Thanksgivings in Valdez, Bill decided to make pies for his George Gilson Middle School staff. Several in the group were pretty impressed with his pie baking talent, and when Brenda Stock asked him what's the secret, he said, "Brenda, it's the crust..... make it with lard."

Bill being the intentional guy that he was, truly built his pies with time and love. I have visions of him in the grocery store silently determining which brand of apples he would use, And, which particular apples within that brand he would select. (He usually used a couple of varieties.) Some for their sweetness, others for the tartness, and combined to make the perfect pie.  At Christmas he might throw in a handful of craisons to make it a bit more festive. A few times he decorated the top crust with fancy pin-prick designs. It was always a special day if Bill had made a pie for you.

So today, Katie in Valdez, and I in northern Minnesota, each built an apple pie using Bill's recipe to celebrate Bill 3's virtual birthday get together, and to honor their dad, "the pie guy". Bill would have been all on board with this virtual celebration during this crazy time in our lives of social distancing. Anything to celebrate a birthday, love and support a family member, and for Katie and I also, the importance of passing on family traditions.