06/05/2026
Today, Ryker became a third-generation black belt.
Not because it was expected.
Not because it was handed to him.
And not because he comes from a martial arts family.
He earned it.
The photos in this reel tell a story of the people who loved him, supported him, and cheered him on, but every class, every test, every tournament, every early morning, every hard day, and every moment he wanted to quit... that was his choice.
As proud as I am of our family's martial arts legacy, this black belt isn't mine.
It isn't Nana's.
It isn't Papa's.
It isn't Aunt Barb's.
It's Ryker's.
He wrote his own story.
Today, we celebrate a third-generation black belt, but even more importantly, we celebrate the young man who had the discipline, character, and determination to earn it for himself.
And I couldn't be more proud.