Jessica Bessell, one of my favorite local residents, is celebrating her birthday today. The age, that's not important, but this should be a fun day for Jessica to celebrate life with her husband Robert, sons Jacob and Ryan as well as many friends in the area.

As our lone staff writer, Jessica has been a valuable asset for Attleboro-Seekonk Patch, providing both communities with needed information every day and making us laugh and/or cry with her column "Mom's the Word in the 'Boro." I "met" Jessica before I even arrived in this area from California as she contacted me during my eventful road trip because she was so excited to get started on a new era for this website. Her enthusiasm has not gone away, and she is a major reason why Patch is a useful source of local information for both Attleboro and Seekonk.

I thank my predecessor Patricia Resende for bringing Jessica aboard. I as well as the residents of Attleboro and Seekonk have benefited from this decision.

P.S. I am away today and tomorrow in Syracuse, N.Y. at a mini-family reunion. I will be checking in from time to time, but not as much as usual. Please behave yourself in the comments section while I am gone. If you can debate with kindness, I'll share pictures of my adorable 1-year-old nephew Lev when I return Sunday.  

Do you know somebody celebrating a birthday in Attleboro or Seekonk? Send the information to jonathan.friedman@patch.com.