Landon, do you remember when we were 18 and we said we weren’t even going to make it to 20? And then little by little we kept extending our stay. “We gotta make it to 21 so we can go to bars using our real IDs.” “Actually, 22 we need at least another year of bars and clubs and parties.” “How about 30 so we’re still young and hot without botox?” “Botox has come a long way honestly, with it, we could still be hot at 40.” 

Just last week, you said you wanted to be at least 59 so you can actually cash out your 401(k) (whatever that is) and that made me smile because it means even today, on your 26th birthday, we have over half our lives left to be best friends. 

Even though it was 8 years ago, I remember 18 so vividly. I remember the day trip to Chicago you took me on to try and salvage my spring break that had gone from driving to Florida beaches to ICU waiting rooms in exactly one phone call. I remember shivering while we stood in line for Shedd’s Aquarium because even back then I refused to dress appropriately for cold weather and I remember lying to you for the very first time saying, “I could never live in Chicago,” a city that you had already confessed your love for even back then. 

I think what I’m trying to say is that I’m grateful for all the ways we’ve grown together almost as much as I am for all the ways we haven’t changed at all.

Happy birthday, Landon. It is such a privilege to form laugh lines with you.