Last month, Dubby invited me to attend one of his friend’s birthday parties where she hosted a roast and had all her friends roast her since nobody likes you when you’re 23. Bre had jokingly mentioned that that would be fun to do at her birthday. Everyone, including Bre, recognizes that if we spent all night roasting her, it would not in fact be fun.

So instead of writing a roast, I wrote a toast. Kinda the same energy plus you get to drink at the end so it seemed like a good alternative.

As I look around the room, I can’t help but appreciate that at a party filled solely with people who Bre loves and who love Bre, there are also so many people who I myself also love and adore. In fact, that’s one of Bre’s favorite thing’s about herself, her friends. She’s always possessed an innate ability to sincerely and accurately describe the wonderful people in her life which is impressive because I’ve helped her write essays before where I question how English is both her first and only language. Maddy is the sweetest little stoner baking queen, Jess is the wifey fix it yourself outdoorsmen, Kaitlyn is endlessly creative and thoughtful one of a kind, this is deadass how Bre shamelessly talks about her friends on a daily basis. And she means every kind word every time.

However, when it comes to describing herself, Bre always says something along the lines of “All my friends have these special traits and special things and I’m just Bre.”

As a communication major and someone who professionally copyedits for a living, it is hard for me to ignore the raging syntax error in the phrase “just” Bre. The adverb “just” has a denotative meaning of “only or merely.” It diminishes and trivializes whatever follows it. It should never precede Bre’s name.

Because Bre isn’t just Bre.

Bre is the best person to run errands with. She’ll hold your hand as you walk through parking lots or grocery aisles or if she notices you’re fidgeting at dinner. Bre is the best storyteller, because you get 17 others stories all in one plus a short intermission where you pause to help her find either her phone or her vape. Bre is the best person to tell good news to. She celebrates it as if it is her own, she always applauds you for your victories no matter how small they are. She recognizes that the little things are never actually little. Bre is the first person that will make room for you on a crowded couch or offer you her seat and not just because she likes to sit on the floor. She never stops trying to make you feel welcome and wanted. Finally, Bre never stops trying to share her good things with you, whether it be her ice cream or her nicotine or her people. As if sitting on the couch laughing with her isn’t already just the best thing there is.

So here’s to Bre and everything she is and everything she’s going to be. We are so proud of you baby girl! Happy birthday, Bre! Cheers!