My nephew, Rob Masterson is dad with a sense of humor, tempered by his deep love for his family. He has a way with each of his children that is unique to them. His oldest child, Christina Hockenbrocht is married now and lives in Colorado, so he doesn’t see her as much as the younger kids, but they talk periodically, and she knows that he loves her very much. His second daughter, Raelynn Masterson calls her dad her “hero” and loves the fact that he always calls her Raelynn Dawn and not just Raelynn. She says that he is always looking out for her and always tries to keep her motivated. She loves riding in the car with him, because he talks about the funniest things. Raelynn has a job, but has never wanted to drive really, so Rob takes her and picks her up from work. She says, “On the way home, even on the worst days, he always gets me to smile. He loves his ‘Dad Joke Fuel’ cup that I got him and wears the silly shirts I buy him like his ‘Best Farter’ shirt.” That describes the Rob I have always known to a tee.
Raelynn works at a carwash these days, and with her prior back issues, Rob worries that it might be too much for her. He was also worried about the type of medicine they keep at home messing with Raelynn. So, he insisted she and her mom, Dustie Masterson buy some Ibuprofen to keep in Raelynn’s purse instead of taking Acetaminophen nearly every day. Sometimes the pain from her back just gets to be too much, and Rob tells her to relax and deal with whatever I was doing, later, and to take some ibuprofen and a nap, and come back to it. Like most people, Rob gets upset when someone cries, but it’s because he doesn’t know how to fix it and it 
frustrates him…because he’s the dad. He wants to help, he just doesn’t know how. Nevertheless, Raelynn says, “His hugs always make me feel better. On the worst days, when I’m in pain, when I’m just tired and can’t focus, his hugs always help. Dad hugs are magic.” She also said, “Just today he brought a Pepsi to me, all the way across town to where I work, because he loves me. I can call him from my workplace and tell him I need something, and 9 times out of 10, he’ll bring it to me or find another way for me to get it, even if he complains about his ‘Gosh Darned Kids.’ Dad’s one of the most loving people, even though he acts tough and scary. He loves all our animals and makes an effort to play with them. Even Moxxi, who he claims to hate. He’ll sit there and just pet and love on him until Moxxi’s tired of it. He’s the only one who can play with Moxxi, with his hands. Moxxi plays to rough for the rest of us, and he loves playing with Dad because Dad encourages him to be rough.”
Rob’s son, Matthew Masterson got his license right away, and he helps out with the transportation of the girls. He works too, so he can help out at home and also so he can buy things he wants and needs. That is a big help for Rob and Dustie. Rob’s daughter, Taylor Masterson says, “Dad has always told me to follow my intuition and has always let me make my own choices since I was old enough to do so safely. Dad said a few days ago that I would make a great manager if I really put my mind to it. He says that whatever path I take in life he’ll support it. Dad never lets things slow him down, even a broken bone no matter how much his family wants him to rest he still insists on driving us where we need to go. Dad and Mom have given me a kind of unrealistic view of love, the love they have is so unnaturally rare that it’s unfair to see sometimes, but at the same time it’s a 
relief to see after seeing so much heartbreak in the world. Dad is my role model, and I know that he’ll be there whenever I need him most!”
Rob and Dustie have been married 22 years now, and they are very happy together. Dustie makes Rob feel so blessed. She has given him three wonderful children. Their lives are complete. Every new year is a new adventure, and they both look forward to the next chapters of their lives. Today is Rob’s birthday. Happy birthday Rob! Have a great day! We love you!
Leave a Reply