Happy Birthday, Dear

September 2008
Five years ago, I wasn't a billionaire.
Five years ago, my beard wasn't rich.
Five years ago, banks were failing all over the place and Greg Oden was about to finally have a rookie season and we were looking ahead to our first pumpkin spice lattes of the holiday season.

Well, some things have changed and some things haven't and Greg Oden is heading to Miami and I am still hanging out with you and raising baby elves and your eyes are bluer than a billion bluebirds and I wouldn't trade you for a million Ingrid Bergmans and holiday decorations are starting way too soon and...

...you are pretty neat. The neatest, raddest, oddest person ever. I have so. much. fun. with you.


Happy birthday, buddy. See you around. 
____