Today is the birthday of my older brother Kevin (aka Bosskat), who is a whopping 15 months my senior.

There were days beyond those where we played with Fisher Price toys on the shag carpet of our house on Mars Drive in Anchorage where I wasn’t sure who he was or who I was or if we’d ever get along. Days where he put his fist through drywall next to my head in an attempt to restrain himself when I pushed him just a wee too far, as little sisters are wont to do. Days where our worlds were a little too close and a little too different from each other to coexist peacefully.

Discord aside, he was always quick to jam a quarter up his nose to make me smile, and today continues to deliver laughs via random one line emails and serves as an inspiration for my (semi-defunct) dedication (even if he doesn’t think himself worthy).

There were plenty of accidents along the way that I wasn’t sure he’d make it through, but he did and we did and today despite approximately 4,300 miles and a 4 hour time difference and the plain ole’ rush rush rush of our lives that keeps us from talking as often as we should - he’s one of my best friends.

He’s a remarkable brother, friend, father, husband, cyclist, mountain scrambler, humorist, storyteller and nature lover. He’s a rockstar, and I only hope I’ve been for him a fraction of what my parents intended when they made me.

Happy birthday, Bevis. Love you.