Guerrilla Engineering: Ms. Thayer...

Today is a special day and I must admit that I did not remember to acknowledge its importance until 11:05 this morning. I had been drafting and planning this post for over a week, but came up half a day late and at least a dollar short.

In order for The Guerrilla Engineer to spend countless hours prowling the Muddy River and various other sites, a very important individual had to “sign off” on the project. This individual has graciously and faithfully supported my pursuit of an education and tolerated my whims and many idiosyncrasies for over a decade, including nine and one-half years of marriage.

Left to Right: Heidi, Megan and Kymme

On this day, Ms. Heidi Thayer was born in Exeter, NH. She became the third and loveliest daughter of the Hon. Charles “Charlie” K. Thayer and Mrs. Patricia “Patsy” Thayer (no offense to Kymme and Megan, but I am admittedly biased).

Since that December day Ms. Thayer has amassed an impressive body of accomplishments.

In recognition of her destined greatness, her Grandfather, Mr. Harry B. Thayer Sr., called her “CEO” when she was just a toddler. Mr. Thayer began the Exeter News-Letter. and ran the newspaper until his sons, Charlie and Harry Jr., bought it from him in the mid-1970s.

At a horse show: circa 1981

Ms. Thayer was an equestrian as child, who lamented her blue ribbons because they were not pink (her favorite color at the time). She has continued to be a distinguished athlete, starting on the varsity soccer team as a freshman. She also managed to compete in swimming, diving, basketball, lacrosse and then added crew to her resume in college. Now, she is a runner (1st place in the Not Dead Yet 5k this year) and a cyclist.

Scholarship is another of her many strengths. In high school she was inducted into the National Honor Society. At the completion of her undergraduate studies, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire and most recently, she graduated from a dual master’s program at Simmons College with a staggering 3.9 GPA.

Heidi is a writer and a voracious reader. She has a large body of original poetry and more books without equations in them then I ever imagined could exist. She is also an amateur photographer, having had her work included in a gallery show at Chase's Daily in Belfast, ME

The One That Got Away

The variety of her interests and experiences is astounding. She has driven across France twice and across the United States six times. She went door to door working for social justice in Seattle, WA. She has worked on an "organic" farm in Freedom, ME. She taught creative writing to refugee children at The Telling Room in Portland, ME. While in New Orleans, LA, volunteering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she captured a powerful series of photographs and did some gator hunting. She lived half way up a mountain surrounded by 5700-acres of wilderness in Montville, ME and beer cans now tremble when she brandishes a BB gun.

CCSC Profile Picture

Currently, Ms. Thayer is in her second year of teaching at the Community Charter School of Cambridge (CCSC). Her job is demanding, but she executes it with a style and graces befitting that of royalty. I had first-hand insight into the rigors of her daily routine while substitute teaching for her co-teacher while he was having his elbow repaired with screws and plates following a bike accident earlier this fall. I have to admit that I came away from that experience exhausted and in awe of her dedication and hard work.

Perhaps, it is that hard work which I admire most about her. Never have I met an individual with a greater work ethic and sense of purpose than Heidi. While I lament the many hours she spends each weekend and evening preparing lesson plans and creating documents for her students, deep down I understand that this dedication is integral to what makes her great and why she is the love of my life.

Happy Birthday Ms. Thayer… sorry I forgot to say that this morning!

An early picture from the Guerrilla Engineering movement: