Eric and Julie

Two of my favorite people of all time were born on May 16th.

Eric is my little brother who isn't so little at a towering 6 foot 5 or so. He's turning 31 today so he's not so young anymore! He and I have always been very similar in personality and temperament which has caused us to butt major heads on occasion, but it's mostly great that we have so much in common. Eric is a good man. That's exactly how I would describe him. He always tries to do the right thing and when on rare occasion he doesn't, he is quick to fix things and do better. He's got a strong conscience and he lives according to it. If I was is serious trouble I would call Eric for help and support. When I think about him 'solidarity' is a word that jumps to mind.

A few favorite memories I have of Eric......

1-Hanging out in his room at home or when he lived with Mike and I in college, and listening to music. Eric has the BEST taste in music. He likes a little of everything and he finds all the great new songs. He's introduced me to some of my most favorite artists like Peter Brienholt and Marc Cohn.

2-Listening to him teach the gospel anytime I'm able to. He is a gifted teacher. He knows his stuff, delivers his message in an interesting way and infuses a personal touch into everything he teaches. His teaching inspires change and goodness. I wish I could be a little fly on the wall in all his seminary classes. I hope his students realize how lucky they are.

3-Singing with him. Eric has an amazing voice! It's pure and mellow. Sometimes we get to sing together and I think our voices harmonize perfectly. I just wish we lived closer together so we could sing together more often.

And, born exactly one year after Eric was my cousin Julie. Oh how I love Julie. She is like the sister I never had. Julie is a beautiful, intelligent, complex, amazing person. She lives in Indiana with her husband and beautiful daughter Joyce. I miss her like crazy. Julie has introduced so many interesting people, ideas and subjects into my life that I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't know Julie. We have spent tons of time together over the years so I can think of so many great memories, but here a just three of my favorites.....

1-Watching the Winona Rider version of Little Women together and making a tally mark each time one of the characters kissed or cried. Our cousin Jeff unjustly accused the movie of being simply a kissing and crying movie. We set out to prove him wrong and discovered that indeed it was a kissing and crying movie. We even added extra tally marks for the rainbow slobber kiss that occurs when Laurie proposes to Jo.

2-Early morning bike rides with Julie at the cemetery. I know it sounds like a weird place to bike, but actually it was perfect. We would talk about everything important and unimportant in life as we rode down the outside aisles together and then race each other up the middle aisles. It was kind of like circuit training, but with interesting conversation. I went bike riding in the cemetery just a few days ago and I wished so hard Julie was with me. It just wasn't the same without her.

3- Digging through the piles and piles of wedding dresses in the dress shop basement to find Julie the right dress for her wedding. That lady's house was amazing. I've never in my life seen so many piles of white satin and silk or so many caged birds! We laughed all day about that lady's business sensibilities and her love of all things with feathers, but in the end we found Julie the perfect dress among the piles. She looked radiant on her wedding day. I was so happy for her and John. I don't usually cry at weddings, but at hers I couldn't stop.

Eric and Julie.... I love you both. I hope the day is all it should be for two people as great as you guys. Happy birthday!