I cannot imagine my life without each of you. Individually, you have all added to my life a relationship that I will treasure forever, each unique and different just like you. My childhood is filled with wonderful memories of spending time with my brothers and sister. You have brought so much joy to my life and I am so thankful to have had you by my side as we have experienced life events together (both good and bad). Seeing you become uncles and an aunt this past year has been so fun! I want you to know how much I love you and how thankful I am for you!
To Chris: You always know just how to make me laugh and smile. You truly have a gift for brightening the lives of others with your sense of humor. Everyone gets along better and is just geniunely happier when you are around. You are a peacemaker through your use of laughter and joy. You also have one of the softest hearts of anyone I know. Your heart aches for the suffering around the world and you have already decided to make a difference through your involvement in various outreaches. You are truly a man "after God's own heart" and you have been an example to so many! God has used you to bring so many of your friends to Him and you should be so proud of yourself! You have an unwavering passion for God, family, and soccer that is absolutely incredible. You are the MOST self-disciplined person I know. You are absolutely crazy about Caleb and the feeling is definitely mutual! I am so proud to call you my brother and I love you so much. You are one of my closests friends and I love the time that we get to spend together. I am excited to see God reveal what He has planned for your future!
To Brad: Brad, Brad, Brad. Where do I even begin? First of all, let me tell you how proud of you I am. You have been an example to so many at school and at church. You desire to stick to your beliefs and morals is to be commended. Your aspiration to help those less-fortunate is definitely amazing. You have shown leadership in your youth group, friends at school, and on your soccer teams. You have the potential to be an incredible leader in life! You are SO smart (it really is sickening to me...I had to work super hard in school to earn decent grades and you can do it without even trying...not fair)! Your sense of humor brightens my day whenever I get to see you! You are so sweet with Caleb and he adores you. He goes to the stairs whenever he is over at the house and yells "Bad" even though you're not there. I am SO excited to see what God has in store for you...I know that he is going to use you in amazing ways to further His kingdom. Your plan to become a youth minister is wonderful. Again, I love you and am so thankful to have you in my life! I'll be cheering for you every step of your journey!
To Kellie: My beautiful, wonderful sister! Before you were born, I remember wanting a sister more than anything. I was SO excited when you and Brad were born! Now I look back and I don't know that I have shown you as much love and affection as you deserved. For that, I am sorry! I am SO THANKFUL that I now have a wonderful sister! I remember the days that we used to call you my shadow. Everywhere I went, you wanted to go to. Now, you are all grown up and have charted your own course. You have been a leader at school, in cheerleading, and in the many activities that you have participated in. You are wonderfully unique and add so much to our family. I know that your early years were really hard as we were all grieving Brian's loss, but I believe God has a plan to use that experience and transform it into a testimony that only you can offer others (as I know you probably already have). Beauty from ashes! You have SO much to offer this world. You are beautiful, smart, caring, and determined! You have such a soft heart for the underdogs! You are not defined by any other person other than your creator. I have learned that no matter what a wonderful man Kevin is, he cannot completely fulfill me, nor should I expect him to. God is the only one who can do that. When I seek Him, I feel more secure in myself...just remember that. I am so proud of you for being an example to your friends. I look forward to growing in our friendship as we get older. I love you so much and am so thankful to call you my sister!
To Brian: I couldn't write a note to the rest of our family without remembering you. Your life was an amazing testimony and we miss you everyday. I have yet to meet a 19-year old that was as mature in his faith as you. You were an example to thousands (especially the four of us), in life and in death. You were the ultimate "big brother" always driving us here or there, helping mom take care of Brad and Kellie, and even coaching my soccer team. In fact, you were a huge reason why I was baptized the summer before you went to college. You did so much for each of us and I don't know that I ever told you "thank you." We love and miss you like crazy. I can't wait to see you in Heaven someday (God-willing) and introduce you to your nephew who carries your name! I love you!
I love you guys so much!
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