I won't lie: thinking through what I want to say in this one has got me a bit emotional.
I'm not balling my eyes out or anything (wait, are these tears?!), but the feels are real...and man, they're so good.
My siblings are the best. Period. Another period. And a final period.
I can honestly say that I would not be the man I am today if it weren't for the love and support that I've received from Rocky and Sarah.
Shoot, there's a good chance I wouldn't even be alive today if it weren't for them.
So, stories and toasts...
"Get in the Car"
This photo of me and Rocky was taken on November 30, 2014 and it kills me every time I see it.
It's hard to tell behind the smile, but when we took this picture I was drugged out of my mind on depression and anxiety medication. I was struggling so hard that I could barely leave the house without being afraid of having a panic attack or potentially hurting myself. I don't even remember this photo!
But then there's my brother. He knows me better than anyone on the planet, and he knew that even though I was a shell of a man and dying inside, I needed to get outside, breath some fresh air, and be near the ocean. I can still remember the anxiety I felt when I walked out the front door and we walked across the cul de sac to get to his car. The whole trip lasted maybe 30 minutes and I was dying the whole time, but my brother was there for me, and he wasn't going to let me just disappear into the darkness of depression without a fight.
I'm still here, and he's one of the reasons why.
So here's to Rocky: my best friend, an encourager, a prayer warrior, a epic party master and adventurer, an ace wingman, a cozy cuddle buddy, and the best damn brother I could ever ask for.
I love you, bro.
Cheers.
"I Luh Yuh"
If there exists a brother and sister who are closer than Sarah and I, then please let me know because I would like to meet them.
Sarah and I have a seven year and two month age difference between us, which must be a magical number because even when we watch old family videos, we're always together (often to the detriment of our middle brother). We've always gotten along, we're extremely goofy, and we've been around each other so much that it's hard to tell who's rubbing off on who when it comes to humor, accents, likes, dislikes, etc. Rocky even says that we're bad influences on each other....whatever that means.
I also don't think there's another person on this planet that I've said "I love you" to more than this girl. Well, we don't actually say "I love you." It's more like, "I luh yuh." How did it start? I have no idea, but it's our sibling thing and I wouldn't trade it for the world. She reminds me that no matter what I'm going through there's always something to laugh about, and that I should never take myself too seriously.
She's the best sister I could ever have.
So here's to Sarah: on top of being one of my best friends, she's my fiercest confidant, my relationship advisor (if a girl doesn't have her approval, then that's a red flag), my fashion advisor (you think I learned how to look this good on my own?), my tv show buddy, my cuddle buddy, and THE BEST +1 to every social event on the planet.
I luh yuh, babe.
Cheers
So There You Have It
My siblings are the best. Period.
If anyone wants to argue that, I'll fight them anytime, anywhere, to the death.
And I'll win because I'm a ninja...and because my siblings are ninjas too and we're really good at fighting...and we'll fight you together because you never just fight one ninja at a time...they always fight together.