family: mother, father, two younger siblings, son relationship status: widower
personality
+ compassionate, colourful.
- abrupt, pedantic.
If there’s one thing that Matthew prides himself on, it’s his caring nature; even as a small child, he was the one looking out for everyone and doing what he could to help. Being the oldest in the family, he made it his mission to look after his younger siblings, always available for babysitting duties. He would spend his time entertaining his family, so on nights like that, it came in handy. He was the type to get all the neighbourhood kids together and spend a sunny Saturday coming up with a play that would be performed later on that evening in either his or someone else's backyard. As fun as he is, however, he can also be a little blunt. He says what he’s thinking without ever really considering other people's feelings. He is, quite simply, always straight to the point. Attention to detail is important to him, too, he likes everything to be just so, something he’s convinced that his wife actually encouraged at one point.
Six months after his birth, Matthew was adopted by Damien and Antonia Ames, anything that came before completely forgotten by most. They had been struggling to conceive and wanted to find a way forward at that point in their lives; Matthew was that way forward. In the future, things would change, but for several years, it was just them and him —- the perfect upbringing in the small coastal town of Merrock, Maine. He was eventually joined by two younger siblings, making the Ames family complete.
It became apparent rather quickly as Matthew grew, that he was curious about the world around him. Nature became a prominent feature. By the age of ten, he was spending hours and hours exploring the countryside and the coast of Merrock, a newly obtained camera clutched tightly in his hands. It was quite obvious where it was going even then. During high school, he started his own photography club, which turned out quite popular in the end. He was the chief photographer for the school newspaper and would often find stories before the student “reporters” even did. At the time, he was convinced it was his calling, but in the end, he chose to focus on the photography side of things and made his way to college in New York.
That was the only time he left Merrock. Three years were spent in the Big Apple, where he met his wife-to-be, Amy. He worked several jobs, spent every second of his free time taking photos, and he fell in love. His time away was worth it as far as he was concerned. But he came home again pretty quickly and she came with him. By the time they were both twenty-three, they were married out in the countryside. An idyllic wedding with flowers and lace absolutely everywhere, rose petals floating on the breeze, and the horses that she loved so much featuring prominently.
The age of twenty-five brought new challenges. A baby. Their son. Fatherhood came as a shock, but he embraced it like he had everything else in his life. A year after that they took over Gull’s Landing, another fresh start, another exciting way forward. Amy adored it, taking time to make each room perfect and unique; Matthew adorned the walls with photos he’d taken out in the countryside and at the coast that lay before them. It became a real gem, somewhere everyone wanted to stay when they were visiting town. The years that followed were dedicated to raising their son and running the B&B. There wasn’t time for much else.
It wasn’t until 2015 that things took a dramatic turn. A diagnosis too late and three months of hell. Amy was diagnosed with stage four cancer in March and passed away in early July. It left both Matt and his son devastated, and for almost a year, the B&B began to slide slowly downhill
A wake-up call from several friends and family members got Matthew back into gear. He dedicated his time to the place then, to Amy’s memory and to making it a real home away from home for anyone staying there. The family feel was present from the very second you walked through the door. It’s been that way for the last nine years and he hopes that he can keep it that way for as long as he is able to. Life in general is quiet, he spends time with family, friends, and walking his dog, Rocket. Even now he’s still rebuilding, but he thinks he might have finally almost got there.
Merrock would like to welcome Matthew Ames (Paul Rudd), penned by Heather Belle. Make sure your account is submitted in 48 hours, and take a look at our welcome brochure. Can't wait to see you around town! xx
OOC INFO: Heather Belle; additional character.
face claim: paul rudd
full name: matthew ames
nickname(s) / goes by: matt
pronouns & gender: he/him, cis man
sexuality: heterosexual
birth date: march 26th, 1971
birth place: merrock, maine
arrival to merrock: local
housing: coast and pier
occupation: business owner/photographer
work place: gull’s landing
family: mother, father, two younger siblings, son
relationship status: widower
filling connection: ames sibling (have spoken to player)
There is power in knowing that no matter the challenge you face, or obstacle to overcome, you were designed with the tools to overcome it. Once we admit to ourselves that we can do something. There is even more power in knowing that once you do something you open the door for others to do the same thing.
Your light, your success, or your victory shows them the way. I remember hearing a story witch really brought this thought home. It was about how man, since the ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece, tried many different ways of running faster, including being tied to horses. Thought impossible to run a mile in four minutes, the first man to achieve this feat did so in 1954. That in is not what is so amazing. Two months later a 2nd man did it, eventually another, and then another. Today it is the standard for middle distance runners. Agatha Christy puts it best in Murder on the Orient Express “The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.”
This story illustrated that the impossible is really possible, it just hasn’t been done yet. Lewis Carol tried to teach this lesson to Alice:
“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.' I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen.
'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again!”
I listen to a lot of audio book, this part I must have listened to 20 times over and over. What a huge concept, practicing thinking the impossible. With that in mind, lets flip the script. What do you think is impossible in your own life? Each day tell yourself it is possible and take action every single day to move yourself closer to that end. You will be amazed at how your story will ripple outwards, and inspire others. You will become the beacon of light. Too often we think that we are insignificant and no one will care about our story. Just remember a role model is someone who is a head of you on the path. Just because you have not reached the final destination your journey can be an inspiration for those who are just starting out.
Have you done something you were told was impossible? I would love to hear about your experience. Comment below and let me know about it. If you know someone who is facing their own mission impossible, please share this with them.
