3.3

we have always been close.
closer than our 3.3 year deficit would lead you to believe.


we ordered carrot sticks from a mcdonalds drive through in 1997 in my old gold dodge dakoda and laughed for an hour.
we wore handmade moccasins and drew maps of the woods behind our house.
we cut and dyed each other's hair.
we may have even started the mohawk trend of 2001.
we went on an all out 2am mosquito attack with electric battery operated tennis racket fly swatters in china 2002. the hujin province mosquitoes still avenge their fallen heros.
we played g.i.joes and barbies.
we glued mom's duck back together at least 7 times.
we wrote countless letters back and forth when i moved away to college. i went through them a few weeks ago. i cried for an hour. they were hilarious. precious. amazing.
we made countless silly and ridiculous music videos, mostly to dc talk.
we threw more baseballs and hit more tennis balls than any two people could ever count. in case you didn't know, he has a kick serve that will literally knock your stockings off.
we dreamed of growing up and all that would mean.
we talked of life and love and things of the world.
we pondered who we would be and wondered who we would marry.
we prayed together.


he is one of the people that i admire most in the world.
he has taught me that the most influential people are also the most humble and selfless.

i see his influence in my life more and more.
i often try to imagine how he would react in a tough situation.
i always conclude that he wouldn't be judgemental. he wouldn't gossip. he wouldn't jump to conclusions. he wouldn't spaz out and say something mean.
he wouldn't do the many things that i unfortunately do all the time.
he would be genuine.
he would be kind.
he would smile.
he would feel at ease and calm.
he would make you feel loved even when you don't feel lovely.
even when your jeans have holes and your heart is hurting.
he would give you a hug.
he would ask how he could help.
he would tell you he cares and he would mean it.
that's how he is.
that's who he is.



there are usually 2 little pitter-patters weaving in and out now-a-days.
always and ever wanting their favorite uncle to make them fly like buzz lightyear or swoop like and airplane. they dream of playing with his treasured vehicles housed high atop his childhood closet. they swat him with a sword they have fashioned or whizz a ball dangerously close to his head. they tackle him when he isn't looking and share their cookies with him. they wear his winter hats with pride and listen to him sing them to sleep every night. they talk about him when he isn't there. they say things like, "this is my favorite. it's uncle Stephen's car. it's really old. it's special."

i am blessed to celebrate one of the most influential people i will ever meet.
he's 28 today.
28 years of blessing into my life.
28 years of joy.
i look back and pray that my kids have the friendship and love for each other that we have.
i have a childhood filled with the best things of life.
it is filled with my brother.