For Paul

Dear Paul,

I wanted to look back and jot down some fun and random memories, thoughts, ideas...etc. I have kept with me since we first started hanging out. There are so many that I won't be able to write them all down (of course) but I thought it'd be nice to get a few in there in honor of your birthday. Anyways, Happy Birthday!!! I love you!

Remember the group that we always hung out with the second semester of freshman year? We would have lunch in the Student Activities Center everyday because Kate and Mary Ruth worked there. 

Remember that first trip you took to Colorado the summer of 2008? I was so shy and nervous that I couldn't even tell you to turn around and smile when I was taking this picture of you and the Continental Divide.

Remember that one time sophomore year when I got back from a soccer trip at 12 at night and you had bought me all the necessities for a project that was due at 9 the next day. You stayed up with me until 3 in the morning when it was all finished, and even made The Alamo out of the clay you bought.

Remember Little Boo's soccer games and playing football on the sidelines with the boys? 

Remember the dinner with Joirdan and my parents where you ate 3/4s of the lasagna plus other entrees at Bucca di Beppo? Then you were hungry again an hour later :P

I remember our every-other-day visits to Victoria Park, stopping at Braums sometimes, and walking around or just sitting in the car people watching the second semester of sophomore year.

Remember that 500 piece puzzle we bought and never finished? The nieces and nephews always wanted to help out and they put more together than we did.

Remember your 21st birthday up in Colorado? We went golfing and you bet Tim that you would have a beer if he beat you. You took a couple sips that evening, but that was it ;)

Hamburger Helper, our "homemade" dinners sophomore and post-grad years. 

After a while, we just started ordering chinese... man, that was good food!

Remember when we watched "Gnomeo and Juliet" when I was sick on the couch...and loved it? I think we had chinese that night :)

Whether it's helping the kids fly kites, playing soccer, basketball, or football, or just hanging out with them in the living room, you always enjoy that time spent with them.

Babysitting with you was the best! This was the time when you and Little Dude became close and he's been good with you ever since. You taught him to fist-bump. Now, he will high-five, shake your hand, fist-bump, call himself 'Bob', and whenever he sees your picture (or you), he points and says, "Paul?"

Our crazy engagement. You hiked up this mountain two days in a row to propose to me.  

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

                                                          We have a thing for weird poses.

Remember when you broke into my house the day before my birthday and I almost shot you with an air-soft rifle?

"I remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you just woke up" 

~ Bright Eyes 'First Day of My Life'

Then you spent the day with my mother and me shopping before you collapsed on the couch.... I'm sorry I woke you up, I just really wanted to watch How I Met Your Mother with you :)

Well, I think that's enough for now. I'm sure I missed some pretty crazy moments, but do not worry, I'll get them on here eventually.

Thank you for all that you do (for me, for my family, and for everyone you know). You are such a good and genuine guy. You don't hide who you are; you're crazy, goofy, funny, and just downright weird and I love it!! I am so lucky to have you in my life. You never cease to amaze me and I thank God every day for your love. 

Now you're 24... and there will be many more fun, random, and memorable moments to come. 

!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(only 5 more days till our wedding!)

KISSES!!! muah muah muah muah muah