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{Their Story…First Generation Americans ??}

July 3, 2015 By Ruthie Ridley 9 Comments

Ben and I met at church and were introduced to one another non-chalantly by one anothers families. Ben’s family is from England and mine is from Jamaica. They immediately hit it off because of all the cultural similarities.

Ben’s mum was from the London area and Ben’s father was from New Castle (the very north of England). His parents met in the middle (Yorkshire) where Ben was born. Ben first moved to the US in 1988 at the age of 2 due to a teaching opportunity that became available to his father. He then came over again at the age 5 on a more permanent basis. He moved back to the UK when he was 12 to the Lake District (one of the most gorgeous places on earth). Sadly only staying a short while to then move back to the US for another job opportunity for his dad. After a bit more back and forth Ben decided to stay in the US permanently at the age of 21. Ben and I got married right before he turned 22. He has said many times that if he had not met me he probably would’ve relocated to join the rest of his family. He absolutely loves England and his heritage is very important to him. This past year Ben was finally able to become an American citizen.

I, on the other hand wasn’t as fortunate to truly get immersed in my roots. I mean, having Jamaican parents is a lesson in culture in and of itself, but to have lived in Jamaica for an extended period of time, I believe it would have helped me understand my culture and heritage more. Jamaica is beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful… the people are even more beautiful but life there can be hard. Jamaica is most known for it’s sandy beaches, waterfalls and track and field super stars but the alarming poverty rates are hard to ignore.

My dad had to quit school at the age of 15 following his father’s death to help support his mom and 7 other siblings. He worked the farms day and night. My maternal grandmothe moved to Canada to work for a wealthy familywhen my mom was 2 and would come back for only 2 weeks a year until my mom was 17. Soon thereafter my great aunt sponsored my grandmother and my mom and they moved to the US. My father shortly followed. My mom specifically went back to Jamaica just to have her children because she trusted the medical system more. I spent the first 4 months of my life in Jamaica and almost immediately obtained American citizenship. I have since then gone back several times to visit. I miss it everytime I have to leave. It has been almost a decade since my last visit. Ben and I cannot wait to show the kids Jamaica and all that they have come from.

Ava, Savannah and Judah were born at Yale New Haven hospital in CT. They are first generation Americans. I believe that them being here has an will afford them limitless possibilities. They also have dual citizenship with the UK which made Ben very proud and open ups other avenues for success. As parents we hope that our kids grow to recognize and appreciate the freedom that they have been given and to never take a single thing for granted. We truly believe that our ceiling will be there floor. We thank God for the privelage to raise them in this country. Happy 4th of July weekend!! I hope celebrate this holiday with those you love.

Ruthie xo

 

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Patriotic Tops: by Old Navy

 


Filed Under: Fashion Kid, Life, Parenting Tagged With: america, england, family, fashion, fourth of july, generations, history, jamaica, kid fashion, photography

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Comments

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    So fun for them to be able to experience all of the different cultures! Its great that you and your hubby are intentional about showing them their roots. Beautiful!

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Ruthie Ridley Blog was established in January of 2015 out of a strong desire to have a place for creative expression both with her love for all things fashion and deep faith in Christ. Ruthie loves classic, timeless style with a side of fun, flirty flair! Faith and family is the foundation of her life where everything she does flows out from. She believes that with hard work and chasing big dreams, anything can be achieved!

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In other news, this super cute dress is $15🤯!! Comment DRESS to get deets to this entire look ❤️‍🔥💥🫶🏾✨😌😍😘
✨APRIL✨ was a “Beautiful Mess”😌 Showing ✨APRIL✨ was a “Beautiful Mess”😌 Showing you all the of the beautiful… I don’t have any pictures of the mess 😝!!! “But in all things we give THANKS!” 1 Thess. 5:18 ❤️‍🔥 (Comment “SHOP” for links to any of my looks)
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14. @ava_ridley09 award ceremony for life fitness. Currently squatting 205 🏋️‍♀️💪🏾
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In today’s episode🎙️we are talking about th In today’s episode🎙️we are talking about the power of discipline & the key to unlocking both long-term and short-term goals🚀
We truly believe that everything you want in life is on the other side of the hard and uncomfortable!!! 😌
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or tap the link in our bio! #TheGoodStuffPodcast #Discipline #GrowthMindset #PodcastEpisode
WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MIRACLES YOU HAVE EVER WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MIRACLES YOU HAVE EVER WITNESSED GOD DO IN YOUR LIFE?!✨🫶🏾🕊️❤️‍🔥🙌🏾🙏🏾🤍

I’ll go first!! Earlier this week I was just thinking about how faithful God has been to me over the years! I think we all go through different highs and lows, but it’s so good to stop and look back and remember what God has done! 

Back in 2008 when Ben and I just got married, the market had crashed. I had purchased a home on my own in CT- We lost the house and our cars were repossessed - I honestly felt like we would never recover from that!!! Not to mention, I felt so much failure and shame attached to that season!

Fast-forward to 2019, we begin working with our dear friend  @cody.d.williams  on purchasing our very first home together and he told us all the work that needed to be done with our credit,etc. we took a year and did everything we could to get things right! Not only were we able to purchase our first home together in 2019, but everything from the past was no longer a factor & two years later we were able to purchase an even more magnificent property that we now call home 🏡 

Why was this a miracle for me? I think because I thought we would always be behind & nothing would ever change. We rented for 7+ years before we were able to purchase a home as a married couple and that started to discourage me! 

Just a reminder that little miracles happen everyday and that your worst is never the worst.  God can turn your situation around in a moment!!! The BEST is yet to COME!!! Keep believing ⭐️
Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation with Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation with our good friend @beckyfoxjohnson as we talk about navigating life as a strong female leader!!!💛
Becky is a phenomenal example of pioneering in spaces without a clear roadmap, breaking barriers, and leading with confidence!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or tap the link in our bio! #TheGoodStuffPodcast #WomenInLeadership #Trailblazer #PodcastEpisode
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Spending time with these wonderful humans this week reminded me that I still belong here, even though I might not look like everyone else (or feel like I fit in) that’s the beauty of it all right?

I think after doing something for a very long time and in this space specifically, it’s easy to feel imposter syndrome, self doubt and the inability to “keep up”. Although an app or an industry has changed over time it’s so important to stay true to yourself.

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Me out here on a Monday trying to shine bright lik Me out here on a Monday trying to shine bright like a diamond 💎 because I literally lost mine this weekend 😳!!! (Swipe left to see💔) No lie, my diamond fell out of the prongs at Savannah’s 🏐 tournament, and I couldn’t find it! Get your diamonds, checked ladies!! I am really sad about it, but it could definitely be worse! I’ve had that beautiful ring for 18 years and I never got it checked! We will get it fixed eventually! @bmridley the ring 💍 is broke but it’s you and me forever baby ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

In other news, this super cute dress is $15🤯!! Comment DRESS to get deets to this entire look ❤️‍🔥💥🫶🏾✨😌😍😘
✨APRIL✨ was a “Beautiful Mess”😌 Showing ✨APRIL✨ was a “Beautiful Mess”😌 Showing you all the of the beautiful… I don’t have any pictures of the mess 😝!!! “But in all things we give THANKS!” 1 Thess. 5:18 ❤️‍🔥 (Comment “SHOP” for links to any of my looks)
1. Just because 🧡💁🏾‍♀️
2. Happy 72nd birthday to my dad 🎉
3. Date night with my boo 🤍
4. J is getting very tall 😭
5. Card games and chats with @mealigrace 🩷
6. @ava_ridley09 ⚽️❤️‍🔥💥
7. Family sideline fun 😌
8. Sav’s amazing 🏐 team in a tournament ✨
9. Happy birthday @nataliekresge 🥳
10. Big tournament win for J and his team 🏆
11. Extra grateful for @overcome_fitnesscp in this season 🫶🏾
12. Happy birthday @sethdavid 🥳!! Happy 20th anniversary @deborahgiles @daniel_giles ❤️‍🔥
13. 🦆 on my favorite walk around the lake🤎
14. @ava_ridley09 award ceremony for life fitness. Currently squatting 205 🏋️‍♀️💪🏾
15. Brunch + prayer with these 💎 
16. @hiforrest concert for J with his best bud for his 13th!! @delani_eden you’re the best 😍
17.  @carlygulinomay & I Adventuring with our kids over Spring break🩷
In today’s episode🎙️we are talking about th In today’s episode🎙️we are talking about the power of discipline & the key to unlocking both long-term and short-term goals🚀
We truly believe that everything you want in life is on the other side of the hard and uncomfortable!!! 😌
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or tap the link in our bio! #TheGoodStuffPodcast #Discipline #GrowthMindset #PodcastEpisode
WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MIRACLES YOU HAVE EVER WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MIRACLES YOU HAVE EVER WITNESSED GOD DO IN YOUR LIFE?!✨🫶🏾🕊️❤️‍🔥🙌🏾🙏🏾🤍

I’ll go first!! Earlier this week I was just thinking about how faithful God has been to me over the years! I think we all go through different highs and lows, but it’s so good to stop and look back and remember what God has done! 

Back in 2008 when Ben and I just got married, the market had crashed. I had purchased a home on my own in CT- We lost the house and our cars were repossessed - I honestly felt like we would never recover from that!!! Not to mention, I felt so much failure and shame attached to that season!

Fast-forward to 2019, we begin working with our dear friend  @cody.d.williams  on purchasing our very first home together and he told us all the work that needed to be done with our credit,etc. we took a year and did everything we could to get things right! Not only were we able to purchase our first home together in 2019, but everything from the past was no longer a factor & two years later we were able to purchase an even more magnificent property that we now call home 🏡 

Why was this a miracle for me? I think because I thought we would always be behind & nothing would ever change. We rented for 7+ years before we were able to purchase a home as a married couple and that started to discourage me! 

Just a reminder that little miracles happen everyday and that your worst is never the worst.  God can turn your situation around in a moment!!! The BEST is yet to COME!!! Keep believing ⭐️
Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation with Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation with our good friend @beckyfoxjohnson as we talk about navigating life as a strong female leader!!!💛
Becky is a phenomenal example of pioneering in spaces without a clear roadmap, breaking barriers, and leading with confidence!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or tap the link in our bio! #TheGoodStuffPodcast #WomenInLeadership #Trailblazer #PodcastEpisode
Thankful for the Cross ✝️!!! Happy Easter from Thankful for the Cross ✝️!!! Happy Easter from our fam to yours 🤍✨🕊️😘 + a little throwback to Easter 2012 just because 🥰
🚩 Relationship Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore 🚩 Relationship Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore! 🚩 ☀️Today on @thegoodstuffpodcast_ , we’re talking about our journey with relationship red flags—the ones we ignored, the lessons we learned, and how we ultimately knew our husbands were ‘the one!’ ❤️✨
We’re sharing our personal experiences, tough truths, and advice on not settling for less than you deserve. You don’t want to miss this one!🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or tap the link in our bio!!
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