Love & Haterade

A Wine Spritzer Toast

For the person who loves me more than anyone else will; who has answers to every question and solutions to every problem; whose long, thick braid falls perfectly like dark, sturdy rope to lead me out of darkness into sunlight.

You taught me how to read, how to write, how to dream without limits.

You are the original family spy. Even though we both know the student surpassed the teacher.

To Sally. Happy Birthday.

(P.S. Please make an appointment to see the dentist.)

A Sangria Toast

For the person who rode three-in-a-seat, who knows things about me we've never had to talk about, whose strength and courage teach me to look for emotional springs inside you you never knew existed.

You understand without words and explanation, you co-founded two of the greatest party games of all time, you know the Lorax even though we never got more than two slabs of concrete up that hill in your backyard.

No matter where we are you make me feel safe...like home and family and a time of untouched innocence.

To Ness. Happy Birthday. 

A Stoli Vanilla and Soda Toast

For the person whose patience and friendship are never ending, who fits without seams, who is gifted in the art of nicknames and communicating volumes with silent stares.

I'd drive any distance to lay next to you in bed, I'd thank you for the walk without either of us stepping a foot, I'd send you and your long toe a handwritten postcard from anywhere in the world.

You are home base. And you've never judged, even when I puked on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

To Lisa. Happy Birthday. 

A Pitcher of Blue Motorcycles Toast

For the person whose love of literature, music, long walks and longer conversation inspires me to live a life of brave reflection, tempered expectation and friendship before all.

Things will return to equilibrium. I promise. And, until that day, thank god we are so easily amused by the same three conversations.

To Megan. Happy Birthday.

A 'Hey! Did We Really Drink Two Bottles of Wine?' Toast

For the person who gave me my temper, my dimples and my unabashed love of C-SPAN historical and nerd celebrities.

Your use of articles leaves much to be desired and you still embarrass us at drive-thru windows but you make us laugh, you let us laugh, and, sometimes, you join in.

You are the one man who will never fail me.

To Lester. Happy Birthday

A Yuengling Toast

For the person whose love of language, life and varied sentence structure inspires me to take chances, tell stories and live a life of ellipses, em-dashes and exclamations.

You appeared when I needed you most. You stayed. And you made everything better.

You are the kind of college professor Cameron Crowe makes movies about.

To TWM. Happy Birthday.