Hey – we just thought some of you might want to wish the Boss a Happy Birthday. He’s on a shoot today but is sure to log in soon and read your comments and well wishes.
Just don’t remind him that he’s a day older, OK?
We thought we’d share a note from Mike’s mom, Peggy, as, well… kinda perfect for the day really. Without further ado -
We’re Keeping Him
When fans of Dirty Jobs learn that we’re Mike Rowe’s parents, they usually stare for a few seconds, then want to know which one of us Mike takes after.
This question always makes me laugh.
In the second season of Dirty Jobs, Mike jumped into a school of thrashing sharks in the Caribbean — I won’t get into a swimming pool if kids are splashing. In Michigan, Mike climbed eight hundred feet above the water to change a light bulb at the top of a bridge — I need a Dramamine to walk out onto our second floor balcony.
It’s hard to believe Mike has my genes. I’ve even entertained the possibility of some baby mix-up in the hospital nursery all those years ago.
“Mike must take after his father, then,” the people say.
This is funnier, still. Mike’s resume boasts of over 250 jobs since college; John taught in the same classroom for thirty years. Mike, who is famous for his spontaneous, impetuous nature, grew up with a father who is a slave to excruciating detail.
On our road trips, a notebook and a calculator are as essential as air in the tires and gasoline in the fuel tank. Entries are my responsibility. Thanks to John, I write non-stop— departure and arrival times, distance between towns, time and duration at rest stops, and miles-per-gallon calculations at fuel stops. On our visit to San Francisco, Mike took us sightseeing. When he pulled into a gas station, John asked, “Do they have the best price? Where does this gas come from? Does it contain ethanol? Is this where you usually get gas, son?”
Mike shrugged and pointed to the dashboard. “Dad, see that little red needle? When it points to the E, I stop for gas.”
John marveled at our son’s offhanded attitude. I marveled at the simplicity of it all–pulling into the station, filling the tank, and taking the highway. No entries in a notebook, no calculators, and no exclamations over good or bad mileage.
On a recent visit home, Mike commented on the poor quality of the TV in our breakfast room.
“The picture’s shrinking,” he informed me.
“We know,” I said. “Your father has been doing his research.”
After lunch, Mike disappeared and returned an hour later carrying a large, awkward box.
“What do you mean, you just bought it?” John asked, scratching his head. “Nobody just buys a television! Did you do comparison shopping? How do you know this is a good product? Did you check Consumer Guide? Where are your notes? Did you have a coupon?”
Mike smiled and put his arm around his father’s shoulder. “It’s a top brand, Dad. You’ll love it. I’m not taking it back.”
To this day, my husband shakes his head when he looks at that TV, a monument to the baffling, impetuous nature of his oldest son.
From time to time, John still ponders the mix-up-in-the-nursery theory, but I can’t really buy that. Having a 9½ pound baby with a (shall we say) ‘prominent head’ is among my more vivid memories.
Whatever! We’ve decided to keep him.
– Peggy Rowe
421 Comments
Dear Mike,
Well happy belated birthday! I recently learned that you and I have the same birth date just a few years a part and when I say a few I mean like a 20 year difference. Don’t want you to feel bad about that though. So anyway happy birthday and I love your show!! Keep it up!!
Sincerely,
Darrin Delong
Happy birthday Mike. Hope you have a great day! You and Dirty Jobs always puts a smile on my face.
Happy birthday Mike – or should I say Happy Dirtday??
Happy BIrthday, Mike. I’m a Baltimore girl born March 19th. We grew up just a few miles apart. Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
Are you sure you are describing your husband and not mine? I can’t believe there could be two men who could be more similar!
It must mean that my son could become as easy going as yours–after all, he’s an Eagle Scout too! (And LOVES Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch).
I just re-read this and wanted to thank you for the laugh. My mother is the ‘researcher’ and my dad just walks into the store, points to what he wants & hands the cashier a signed blank check while my mother fusses in French. I just stand there shaking my head and explaining to her(in French)that most people in Central Louisiana speak French anyway so why doesn’t she just fuss in English? She keeps right on while I laugh and my father is already waiting in the truck. I’m a combo of the two. I do quick research then just buy it if we need it. Thanks again Mrs. Peggy !
Happy Birthday, Mike!
Hope you had a great day and got to enjoy yourself. Thanks for all of the hours of entertainment and illumination you’ve given us!
Wishing you all the best.
Hi Mike,
I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with your presentation at the National FFA Convention and your article that you wrote about being at the Convention. I have been in the business of teaching students about Agriculture for thirteen year now. I have never heard a speech from anyone that was so accepted and appreciated by FFA members and Advisors at a convention. You had their attention, which is sometimes hard to get! Great job and I hope to see you at a convention some time soon. You have a great message to teach!
Happy belated B-Day Mike, and a huge thank you from on of those who has seen and felt the trades be diminished and downgraded to “second class” status. You are helping to bring back the ideals that this country was largley founded upon, and helping to bring those like myself, back into the hearts and minds of those who would dismiss us.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Scott Parker
Construction and Maintenance Manager
The Pinery LLC
And a proud MRW Tradesman
Hey Mike,
Happy Belated Birthday Mike
From: JJ in Connecticut
Happy belated Bday Mike. As a laid off elevator mechanic, I have that dirty job, and have been doing it proudly for 25 yrs to support my family. You are my hero. You have shown the nation what it is to be a man in this county and what made it great. You have done great things for the true man and woman I’m proud to watch your show. I would give anything to meet you and have a cold beer (and yes I said beer not a cosmo). I am 47 yrs old and would wash your boots. What can I say but love you man and Mike Rowe for president – let’s take our county back and make it great once again. sincerely Philip C Fleck III
Peggy,
It was great meeting the mom of Mike at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference this weekend! You are delightful – even if he doesn’t get his sense of adventure from you, he certainly got his writing talent from his Mama. We’re looking forward to Mike’s pic for my son, Sean; he’s a big fan. Best wishes to the both of you!
Purdue Jane
Hope you have a wonderful birthday if your ever in the Athens, Ga area look me up.
Yo Mike! Hope the birthday was good. I think the new Ford
commericals are great!
Hey Bob – You should go to Discovery and ask them about the show. This is where I submited my job for the show: http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/8251971108
Stay dirty Mike!
Ros
Hi my name is Bob Latzke I used to live in Florida many times I also lived in Michigan I must be mike rowes twin I am always being asked and told that I look like mike rowe on dirty jobs and asked if I am mike rowe can you help would like to meet mike? Might be interesting on film to do a show or two or more I also do the dirty jobs to make a living in real life. Mike Rowe meet your twin thanks Bob
Happy Birthday! I know it is a little late but look at it this way you get to keep on celebrating. Hope you had a great day!
Happy Birthday Mike, love your show , you are just absolutley the best , love your sense of humor , keep entertaining us…
Hope you had a wonderful birthday even though you had to work. Thanks for all you do! From Sue and Sophia in Michigan.
I’m entering you in the contest Mike! Sexiest Man Alive!
I wann to wish you a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. Mike, I have been a fan of yours for years! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the good that you do this country and for your support of the Troops. I cannot wait to see your new shows.