Friday, July 31, 2009

To The Birthday Boy...


This weekend marks the birthday of a dear friend's eternal love and my former collegemate, Aaron.


I still remember the first time I met Aaron. I was walking from Craton Hall (my place of residence) toward Main Hall for one of our daily meals (most likely for the salad bar and grill). As I rounded the aged brick path, I saw a handsome young man chillaxin' by the water fountain (you know - the one that was frequently "sudded"). What I remember most was the light that illuminated from his face. Seriously. His smile was as big as life and there was a twinkle in his eye. I remember thinking to myself, "Now there is a man who knows who he is." I was ecstatic to observe shortly thereafter a beautiful young lady (not to mention one of my favorite people) linked arm-in-arm with him. Hmmmmm, I thought. Now THAT would be quite a match.
Well, almost a decade later (are we really that old?), Life and Time have brought their share of love, laughter, heartache and tears to us all. And yet (through the writings of his beautiful wife), I have seen Aaron continue to rise above it all and keep trodding on, no matter what Life threw his way. All this with that same infectious smile and light in his eyes that drew me to him years ago. That, my dear friend, is what I love and respect most about you. It acts as an example and beacon to us all.

What are my wishes for you this upcoming year?

*That you have more dates with your wife than any year previous and that your marriage continues to be a courtship
*That you continue to be "the only man" in your little girls heart
*That your little boy continues to try and live up to the Man that his daddy is
*And that you are able to keep the hope in your heart that your soul needs to survive and thrive. *And - because everyone needs a little downtime - that they come out with movies that are as thrilling to you as Transformers.

I know. Quite a bill to fill. But hey, it's your birthday!
Happy Birthday, dear Aaron! I am proud to call you my friend.
~amanda kjar wilkinson


*Now go HERE or start at the very beginning