10/28/2026
VOTE FOR BEN! Ben, one of our amazing Albers residents, is in the Miracle Network SuperDad Competition and made it to the Quarter Finals! Way to go Ben!
🚂❤️ The Man Behind the Realtor (and a Whole Lot More!) ❤️🎈
You all know me as your local Realtor, but what you may not know is that there's a pretty incredible man behind the scenes helping me make it all happen.
My other half, Ben. ❤️
Ben is currently competing in the Children's Miracle Network SuperDad Competition, and recently his railroad union, SMART-TD, published a beautiful article about him. Seeing his railroad brothers and sisters rally behind him has been so special, and I figured it was time I shared a little about the Ben I know.
First off, this man has border collie energy. 😂 He cannot sit still, can fix literally anything, and somehow manages to bring every single one of my crazy ideas to life.
Those parade floats I dream up? Ben builds them. 🎈
My over-the-top Halloween displays for trick-or-treaters? Ben.
Our amazing Christmas displays every year? Yep, Ben again. 🎄
And he's got a green thumb! He grows it, I try not to kill it, and then I can it. 😂🌱
He's also the backbone of my real estate business and my biggest hype man. He's always cheering me on, helping behind the scenes, and believing in me even when I'm dreaming up something completely ridiculous.
But my favorite thing about him? The dad he is to Logan. ❤️
Ben has always been the kind of dad who teaches his son how to do ALL the things, but makes sure they're having a blast while doing them. He showed up for Logan's events whenever he could. And when the railroad kept him away, I was there with a video camera so he wouldn't have to miss a thing.
And there's a little story about Ben that most people don't know.
When he worked the Polar Express for the railroad, he absolutely LOVED it. Every year, the two of us would make around 40 little toy train engines and paint the year on each one. 🚂🎄
Ben would take them to work, all decked out in his Christmas gear and railroad safety equipment. Then he'd spot a little kid and come running up, hollering, "MR. CONDUCTOR! MR. CONDUCTOR!"
He'd stop, pretend to catch his breath, look at the child, and say, "You forgot this!" before handing over a little train and walking away.
And just like that, he'd leave behind one very happy, very surprised little kid. 🥹❤️
He never did it for recognition. He just loved making those kids smile. He still misses doing it when he doesn't get assigned to the Polar Express.
If I had to describe Ben in three words?
Brash. Loving. Dependable.
He's loud, he's a handful, and he has a heart as big as his personality. 😂❤️ But he's also the guy who shows up, figures it out, takes care of his family, and makes life a whole lot more fun along the way.
So when I say I think he deserves to be called a SuperDad, I mean it.
And as a RE/MAX agent, knowing this competition supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals makes it even sweeter. 🎈❤️
His railroad family has already shown him so much love. Now I'm asking my real estate family, friends, clients, and Southern Illinois community to help us cheer him on!
🗳️ Please take a moment to cast a FREE vote for Ben and share his story!
We sure do love this man. ❤️
https://yoursuperdad.org/ben-kruep-FhfZ?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUZQj9jbGNrBRlAyXBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEepivppzw0ZLtBb_ose8_YeBnIIfhj4322ibMQutCPVpd-XjbBjBlaux7UzCo_aem_V1_B_Rozb5WqpSetLHCEZQ
