Happy 19th Burfday, Brah!

damn. nineteen years old.

i'm sorry, mike... but in my mind you will always be five. just because i was eight... and that was probably the best time of my life. i wouldn't trade the bulk of my childhood for anything. and you, little brudder, you were one of the main reasons it was so good. you know what i'm talking about... before dad moved out.

we just always had so much fun. we played outside constantly... created our own little worlds with living room forts and basement lego/barbie kingdoms. you played soccer. i had dance class. day trips on saturdays... church and visiting grandma on sundays...

and i loved school. i was so good at it. i remember reading to you with mom before we went to sleep. ha! and those bang on the wall wars we used to have when we didn't want to go to sleep!

geeze, man. that was fourteen years ago. seems like yesterday.

doode, let's try to get back to that. i really do believe that is what life is all about.

...

and to continue my michael babbling... let's not forget to mention what a fine young man you have turned into. and when i say fine, i mean damn fooooiiiiiiiine. i'm not ashamed to say it. you're hot.

but that's not even half of the man you have become. you are the purest heart i know. there's no question. you are the quality kind of man that legends are built out of. honest, trust worthy and trusting... you work hard at what you love... and you don't let anything anyone says about you get you down.

i envy you, boss... at times i think you are more of a grown up than i am.

i wish you all the luck and love this life has to offer. and i hope you stay motivated to reach your dreams (and i have the list of them, damnit, so don't think i'm not checking them off as you go).

to the one best friend i know will never leave me. happy mother pooping birthday. i love you.