I am grateful to all the birthday messages and letters received this year. Here are just a few of the digital letters received:
It’s not just any birthday this year, it’s your 33rd birthday this year. In case you didn’t know, 33 is often referred to as the “Jesus Year.” Jesus did his most important work in the three years before he died at 33, which is why some believe the age is important and sacred. False, you won’t die at 33. This is only the beginning of something beautiful. You will die from natural causes because I don’t want to be a widow just yet. Anyways, turning 33 is a good thing because it’s a testament of your growth as a person and all the experiences you’ve accumulated throughout the years to help shape who you are. As you transition into a new phase of your life with your wife (me), you are more assured, confident, and capable than ever before. You have long term goals, values, and priorities such as maintaining your marriage, starting a future family, possible advancement in your workplace, enjoying the little things in life, and etc. Much like Jesus’s life and teachings, you continue to inspire and educate others through your teachings and trying to make a positive impact on the world. I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve more remarkable things in the future. Happy 33rd birthday my handsome man!
👸💖💖HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS! 💖💖👸
To my loveable dork who annoys me to no end and the source of my happiness, may today be memorable and of course blog worthy. You are loved more than you know given how far people are willing to drive to celebrate your day despite the fact that they don’t like this restaurant as much as you do. It’s truly baffling every time we eat here. I admit the cornbread is delicious, albeit it can get a bit dry. The macaroni salad is better than most places but not as good as Hawaii. Only for you would I ever eat at this place.
On another note, I hope the rest of the year goes well without too many hiccups and you don’t get burnt out by the kids. I know there are days where you don’t give a crap and come home tired and cranky. The only consolation you’ll get from me is that I’ll be by your side when you’re old and cranky until you die. I look forward to drinking boba together and complaining about joint pains.
Your continued passion, style, kindness, wit, and humor is one of a kind. I hope our future child has some of that pizazz to make them unique as well. If they end up double jointed I might cry. Hope they don’t end up single and alone. If they do, it’s alright because they might be a late bloomer like his father.
Anyways, I love you lots and can’t wait to celebrate another birthday with you! Congrats on turning 33 my gremlin! 🥰 Don’t cry now that you’re getting closer to Colin’s age.You are still not as old so that’s good. It’s only the mid thirties now. WOOT WOOT!!
- Love always, your loving sunshine and light of your life
33 REASONS WHY I LOVE MY BAKA HUSBAND
- Unwavering love for his wife (very important!)
- Loyal to a fault and dependable
- Your ability to adapt to different situations/scenarios
- Have a unique sense of humor that can brighten up anyone’s day
- Have a strong work ethic and dedication even though you deny it
- Lowkey a nerd (plays games online)
- Enjoys pokemon and collecting novelty items related to it
- Endless patience with me
- Never fails to make me feel special with random gifts (surprise boba + pokemon hoodie)
- Swiftie fan til the day he dies
- Lacks common sense when needed but thoughtful where it counts
- I can count on you to help me finish my leftover food when I can’t eat anymore
- Practical
- Your determination to overcome obstacles that come your way (one way or another)
- Great sense of style (disney attire and pokemon crocs)
- It’s endearing when you try to outfit match/coordinate what I’m wearing
- Adventurous but also a chicken (no paintball or skydiving for you)
- Humble
- Junk mail does not exist in your emails since you religiously delete them
- 💯 with your roasts and dislike towards others (serves tea and yearns for new tea)
- Spicy scorpio
- Eating noodles at home when we are lazy is the best (even when your sister and mom judges us)
- Best spooner 🥄
- Letting me latch on like a koala even when you’re melting
- Watching scary/horror movies with me
- Planning for future dates and making sure we get to our destination on time (itinerary)
- Being the best uber driver for his passenger princess
- Always taking care of our boba addiction
- Downloading movies for us to watch together even when it has negative reviews after it’s been in the theaters for a bit
- Better than a marine 👏
- Tooting machine in the middle of the night
- Listening to an album on replay until you’ve liked some of the songs to put on your spotify playlist
- Having princess syndrome when you get sick
Hello John Tran,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
You are one of the kindest people I know that does things with so much sincerity. You are always creating great memories for all the individuals around you, creating positive impacts in each of our lives. I love the extra effort you do for the community, especially for your students. I know they will always remember their favorite teacher, John Tran. John, I met you at AX2019 according to my handy dandy letter sent by the John Tran.
Supporting Evidence can be seen below: My special memory with you is us posing in the Sailor Moon booth together while walking around the Exhibit Hall together.
Thank you for all you do, especially being a great friend.
Your Friend,
Julie
Dear John,
Hope all is well with you! How have you been?
First things first, congratulations on your marriage earlier this year! I regret not having been able to make it to the wedding but unfortunately my circumstances with my family prevented me from going! Happy to tell you that all is well now though on that avenue and that things are taking a turn for the better!
Here in this letter, I’d like to share my fondest memories with you and take the opportunity to rejoice. I don’t write hand-written or typed letters very often, but my business school professor taught me that writing these are always extremely meaningful for any family or friend. It is a symbol that you are putting care and thought into another person, and in turn, the hope is that at the very least it makes people feel valued and loved.
I remember back in ‘18 when we met in AX, you loved telling everyone that they should push for a leadership role in reg, especially when you had gone straight from a regular staffer straight to a lead position. It was definitely funny the way you framed it but you and my immediate captain persuaded me to go for leadership and low and behold, I am there. This year I’ll be starting as an assistant lead for the marketing division.
I hope that we can find some time to catch up a tad, perhaps during Phils, and talk about how much we’ve progressed or just talk about life in general! Overall I am doing very well financially these days and aim to continue building my savings and investment portfolios so that I can purchase a house one day! I hope we talk a little bit about finances and life in general when we catch up!
Wishing you all the best,
Sean Yang
From: Amul Shah
Harbinger appeared, so you had to Lookout in order to Keep on track, which was to
Advance in your education and career without being Cutthroat.
Pathfinding you did, with the Jack of All Trades to Guide you on your Pilgrimage;
Pirate 4 was only a stumbling block to let you Pursue your greater Quest to be a Mastermind.
Young Witch in the City was only a trap, which you figured out.
Battlefield of love conquered, you took the Lantern to lead you out of that Labyrinth.
Improve you have, with doing Patient Experiment after Experiment in school and at home.
Reap the rewards at the end, from the
Temple you will build with your Plan to Invest at the Bank with a Bag of Gold;
Highway you will take to go on a Mission to the
Distant Lands (or Nearby) you will Venture to, making an
Alliance with all you meet along the way except the
Young Witch, who was not here to stay.
Hey John,
Thanks for being such a great friend over the years we’ve known each other. When I first joined AX, I wasn’t the most social guy, but you still went out of your way to message me on FB after AX to check up with me. I really appreciated that about you. I hope you know that I’m joking when I say you’re the worst manager ever lol…Anyways, Happy Birthday and hope we’ll stay friends for many years to come.
Joshua Eng
Happy Birthday, John!
What a most unique and amazing year 2023 has been. I hope today brings you as much joy as the impact and care you’ve provided me with over the last 10+ years and continuing. Today I am reminded of all the times we would reminisce back in the day on when or whether we would both ever find someone special……, and look where we are today — not only having found that person, but also married to them! That day when we were outside at In-N-Out on Trask when we were 24, when we were chatting about that for the umpteenth time, stands out much. My life would not be the same had I not met you and you generously giving me the time of day when you had no obligation to, with you being in your final year and about to move away. While I was lost and helpless and you pointed me to relief and so many great things and memories. Thank you for all you have done for me and so many others. Here’s to continued great decades ahead for both of us!
-Nate Nandhu Reddy
Happy Birthday John!
I know we haven’t hung out a lot ever since Anime Expo but from the time we had the chance of hanging out/seeing each other, you were a sweet person to talk to. It was easy to be comfortable around you and you knew how to comfort people whether by giving advice or just being in the presence. Glad to have met you during the time that we did and I’m glad to see your achievements as a person and as an educator to our influenced youth. I hope you have an amazing birthday surrounded with all the people that you love and that love you and I hope there are many more years of happiness for you.
-Sincerely Kai/Dani
This was the most memorable. You winning winter formal king. I didn’t really know you but ended up dancing with you because you had no one to dance with.
Tour of SD and taking us to Phil’s BBQ for the first time.
Happy Birthday John!
I really enjoy how we are still in close contact after almost 12 years of knowing you. Although we are no longer in the same state (and haven’t been in a while) I always look forward to hanging out with you every time I go back. The pic below is just one of the many hangouts we’ve done. I hope you have a great birthday at Phil’s BBQ with Katherine and all your friends! Won’t be able to celebrate with you in person but I’m sure the food will be delicious (although not as good as Brett’s)
Henry
YO
Happy birthday John! 
Raise a toast, roll with the flow, and enjoy the ride. Another year, more dreams to chase, more knowledge to gain. Keep it real, my friend.
Stay blessed and have a dope birthday,
#ICRA4LIFE
Bijan
Happy Birthday John!
I hope you have an amazing day for your birthday! I’m sorry I can’t be here to celebrate your birthday with you! Unfortunately, life’s been a bit crazy on my end.
I hope you have a great birthday! It’s crazy but I’m definitely glad our paths have crossed years back! I remember when we first met, it was as roommates at your first Manager’s retreat for Anime Expo. I was like, darn, I’m roomed with a random dude that nobody knows. Little did I know that you’re such a quirky individual with such great humor.
Throughout those years I’ve gotten to know you better and you’re such a great person! You’re thoughtful and kind, a bit obsessed with Phil’s BBQ but hey, that’s what makes you…you! Anyway, I hope you have an amazing birthday and I hope that you are able to celebrate it with those that love you!
We need an opportunity to meet up – when our schedules align!
Happy Birthday John!
Take Care!
Andrew Huynh
To the Birthday Boy of the Year (BBOTY),
33 reasons why you deserve the best birthday ever:
1) Restaurant influencer (Phil’s, Olive Garden, Coco Ichibanya)
2) Loves Pokémon AND Digimon and does not pit them against one another
3) Brutally honest friendship report cards that may or may not have pissed off people
4) Fellow Honda owner
5) Became a skinny legend by meticulously counting calories and giving me hope that I too can become as skinny for my own wedding
6) Fellow Japanese curry supporter *important*
7) Able to make fun of bald people without getting beat up *impressive*
8) Not a food snob like Winfred
9) Makes me laugh constantly *most important reason*
10) Planned good food during your wedding
11) Telling annoying students to “go Hannah Baker yourself”
12) Writing Christmas cards for each student and making other teachers look lazy, cold, and uncaring in comparison
13) Doing the stairmaster at the gym for probably an ungodly amount of hours
14) Fellow Book of Mormon enjoyer
15) Blogged about me several times *very important*
16) Worked in education for a long time and didn’t quit or sell out to become an admin
17) Supporting Taylor Swift which supports Travis Kelce which supports Patrick Mahomes who is on my fantasy team
18) UCSD Alum (most beautiful campus in the UC system IMO)
19) Wifed up Katherine in the most alpha way (asked her out in person) unlike my beta style (dating app)
20) Gave me a free entry pass into Anime Expo *important*
21) Your Mickey Moose cruise shirt which I am supremely envious of
22) Greeted me and welcomed me during my first week of RKMS
23) Fellow In-N-Out enjoyer
24) Pro-pineapple-on-pizza like myself
25) Fellow Costco enjoyer
26) Acts as the glue of our RKMS friend group; initiates hangouts and makes alpha decisions
27) Lesson planning really cool activities for your students
28) Filmed a Honda commercial
29) Always brings up my traumas unprompted (Bushfire Kitchen staple incident)
30) Got Michelle in trouble when you snuck into RKMS *alpha as f-ck*
31) Totally rational and reasonable hatred toward Filipinos as a race
32) Wears Dodgers shirts sometimes
33) You being allergic to seafood = making sure our friend group doesn’t eat at seafood places because I don’t like seafood either
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 But seriously, thank you for being one of the most supportive and genuine friends I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
-Eugene H. (Fake TOTY)
Dear John Tran:
Happy birthday! Miss the AX days, but always glad to still hang at Phil’s BBQ.
Seeing all your life updates via Instagram is always refreshing and I love to see good people achieving their goals!
You are always the glue that gets people from all over to come together, and I appreciate each fun lighthearted meal at Phil’s.
I still remember Taro’s first trip there and can’t believe how fast time flies.
Have an incredible well-deserved celebration and wish you an amazing birthday today, and future birthdays to come.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Holliday
Mr. John Tran,
Happiest of birthdays to you sir. 33 is just a number and it will all continue to go downhill from here so be careful!!! Lol I guess I don’t have to worry about you too much cause you have Katherine and I know she’ll keep you in check and take care of you! Good choice in a wifey.
You’re pretty much the alpha of our group of friends since you’re the one that binds us together and always plans get togethers for us. Nice job!! Keep planning things and don’t forget to include me.
Since you gave me a rating a long time ago I thought it would only be right for me to rate you back. So here is your friendship rating on a standards based grading scale:
| Friendship | 4 | Dependability | 4 | |
| Looks | 2 | Empathy | 3 | |
| Sarcasm | 4 | Honesty | 4 | |
| Humor | 2 | Taste in food | 1 | |
| Athleticism | 1 | Similar interests | 1 | |
| Smarts | 4 | Style/fit | 1 | |
| Good husband | 4 | Awkwardness | 4 | |
| Trust | 4 | Adventurous | 2 | |
| Final Grade = 2.19 | ||||
| You are passing, but need to improve on your dress and your taste in food We’ll see if any of this changes in the next 8 years |
||||
Happy birthday Johnny boy!! Hope you have a good one and that Kathy Kathy spoils you!! God bless my friend!!! – Colin
To John Le Tran,
Happy Birthday John! Hope your first birthday as a married man is a great one! I hope our weekend trip to Temecula, Phil’s, and being around friends is a fun one. And I hope this upcoming year around the sun is a great one for you. I know things are not ideal in terms of work, but I hope you come across many blessings this year.
As we come together to celebrate the day of your birth, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all you have done not just for me but for all of us RKMSers. Besides our time at RKMS, the other common denominator between all of us is you. I’m positive I can speak for everyone in our friend circle by saying that you have been a great friend to all of us not just during our time at RKMS but after as well. It makes me happy that despite the fact that we aren’t coworkers anymore that we are all still friends. Thank you for the initiative you take to gather all of us to catch up and hang out. Very alpha of you and something I admire about you.
I’m personally grateful to have met you at the time and place that I did in my life. I was a burnt out teacher who lacked inspiration and at times motivation to show up to work and put in my best effort. But as we got to work together, I found myself enjoying my job more and more. There are so many memories during our time at RKMS that are so fond to me that I will always cherish: grade level meetings, walking into each others classrooms and observing/joking around with the students, 7th grade EOTY LEL, me throwing up in the Uber and you having to take care of me, Yosemite, your EOE speeches, the numerous Book Club outings… I can go on and on. What I’m more thankful for is the fact that we still remain friends even after we both parted ways from Rise.
You have had a big impact on my life professionally and personally. Thank you for all the talks, advice, hangouts, laughs, and experiences. I am grateful for your birth and your presence in my life. And it’s not just me who feels this way. Here are some others who also feel the same way.
Happy Birthday again John! Hope this year is a good one!
Dear, John
Happy Birthday! 🎉 Another year older and wiser, and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this special day with you. From the countless Phil’s adventures we’ve embarked on to the random conversations and the laughter-filled moments, I’m grateful for every memory we’ve created together.
I remember back in 2017 when we first met. I immediately enjoyed your humor and sarcasm. For some reason, I intuitively knew that you were someone who is compassionate, empathetic, and deeply caring. Even though you put up a hard exterior and acted like you did not care, the way students and staff cherished your presence instantly captivated me. You made my early days at RKMS somewhere I want to be. I have not been able to say this to you much, but I do thank you for having such a positive impact on my life and my career as well.
As you add another year to your life, I want you to know how much you inspire me. Your dedication and hard work in pursuing your dreams are truly commendable. You’ve shown me the importance of never giving up, no matter how tough things get, and I admire your perseverance.
On this special day, I wish for all your dreams to come true, and for your life to be filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures. May you find success in all your endeavors and continue to inspire those around you, just as you’ve inspired me. Hope to see you and Kat in the Philippines in 2025! And I hope I get to break the Phil’s top 10 very soon.
Your friend,
Enrico
Dear John,
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and high spirits from having the most caring and supportive wife ever for orchestrating this very special birthday gift for you. OTP. It brings me great pleasure to write to you on this special day, as we celebrate the remarkable journey of your 30+ years of life. Today, we mark another year of your existence and the joy you bring to those fortunate enough to know you. I’ve had the privilege of knowing you for a few years now, thanks to the strong friendship you share with my husband Enrico. Over the years, I’ve come to admire the depth of your character, your eccentric nature, and the unwavering support you’ve extended to us. (OTP) Your friendship has not only enriched Enrico’s life but has also made a significant impact on our household. Like your wedding portrait poster that is hanging on our living room wall.
On your birthday, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate you, your achievements, and your promising future. May this new 30 something chapter in your life bring you all the happiness, success, and fulfillment that you deserve. . Once again, happy birthday, John! May this year be your best one yet, filled with love, laughter, and memorable experiences. Here’s to celebrating the remarkable person you are and the bright future ahead.
Warmest wishes,
Gabriela Sanchez
Hello John John,
I don’t really know what to say. Congrats on turning old this year! I am grateful for our friendship. I remember your unique crazy personality when we first met at AX. I really appreciate the friendship letter you wrote me, sadly I did not write one back. Thinking back, I didnt know our friendship read this level. You loving your bbq meats and me telling you the corn bread is way better. But here I am now making up for it and wanting to give a letter to fill your hopes and dreams for the future. So I leave this advice for you: texas has better bbq so let’s take a group trip over there and we can change your world of bbq. Try not to be too obsessed with Phil’s bbq, we all know when it comes down to it, asian food is tastier. haha I’m sorry I won’t be able to make your phil’s lunch but let’s make plans to meet up another time so we can have more asian food. Hope all your birthday wishes come true! P.S. relax and smile more. less wrinkles means long life!
Best,
Cat
