A Little Love for the Birthday Boy...Man

      "It's a boy!" Eighteen years ago today my four-year old self cried to this news because I wanted another sister. While I was upset, the crazy sister I do have was the opposite. She was excited and asked my parents if we could name him Ken, after the Barbie Doll of course. I think the two of us girls actually thought he was a doll because we asked Mom if we could put him in our play crib, which we did once with parental supervision of course. My sheer disappointment quickly left me when I saw him for the first time. I have vague memories of holding him and being in awe of the little guy who quickly became the center of attention, which came from both Amy and I and still does to this day.

      Many times being the youngest, people feel like they have to live up to what their siblings did before them. David (my parents didn't take Amy's advice, thank God!) hasn't ever had to think of that because he has blazed his own trail. He is so funny, incredibly talented, and is kind to everyone. 

     David's sense of humor started at a young age. I remember the two of us had a tendency to dress up in whatever we could find: hats, mittens, grandma's old jewelry, the ball pit tunnel...don't ask. We didn't realize how often we did this until we found an assortment of pictures when we were planning my graduation party. David gets me to laugh in so many ways. One of his favorite things to do is turn off all the lights in the basement and to chase me around as I try to turn them back on. Yes, I am afraid of the dark, especially when he is lurking behind the couch. Another way David gets my whole family to laugh is by the things he says. He can be so blunt and sassy sometimes, that you burst into laughter out of disbelief of what he just said.

      Along with being one of the funniest guys I know, he is also one of the most talented. My favorite thing to do in the fall is watch him play football, this season especially. He has played varsity football since his freshman year but being a junior this past season, he was on the field a lot. David is one of the running backs and he is meant for this position. The second you think he is going down he gains other 5+ yards. This past season he broke the school record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,300 in 216 carries, and tied the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 13. Watching this happen was a family bonding experience. Everyone gets so worked up at his games: Mom holds her breath every time he has the ball; Dad has to get there super early and then walks all over the place to take pictures (or because he can't stand to be in just one spot); and Amy and I scream as loud as we can and usually are holding hands at some point during the game. I am so proud of everything David has accomplished in sports but I am more proud of the way he carries himself.  Being an incredible athlete, he receives a lot of recognition and praise, but instead of boasting, he extends that praise onto his teammates. 

      Outside of sports, he is a leader by demonstrating love, respect, and humility for those around him. Knowing my brother for his entire life, I have watched him grow into the respectable young man he is today.  David has brought fun, love, happiness, and a lot of laughter into my life. He probably doesn’t realize how much of an inspiration is to me as well as others. Even though he is younger than I am, he has taught me so much about life and faith. Through his words and actions of kindness and empathy towards others, I am inspired to do the same.

Happy Birthday, David! 
I love you!         

Thanks for being supportive of the "princess".
I know community coronations were the last place you wanted to be. 

Lanesboro trip: In the Garden Room...the same room
 our family stays every time. I believe we were watching
SpongeBob after a bike ride to the store to get treats. We
have a reenacted picture of this somewhere.

Eating "soup soups" (Froot Loops) out of a china bowl. 

Quick stop at Lake Michigan. 

Another dress up day. This time
with Grandma Soups old jewelry. 

One of our dress up days with
 mittens on our feet.