Meet my BFFs: Brad

Brad's first visit after I moved to New York, 2007

It's Brad's birthday!  It would surprise few to mention the fact that Brad and I are close.  When we were younger we were always in different phases of life (he was the cool high schooler, I was the annoying kid sister in elementary school always looking for a ride.)  However during the window of time when Jason was on his mission and Rebecca was living in Boston, he and I were both college students in the Mormon belt, and got to know each other better as friends, and have only gotten closer as time went on.  We share a lot in common, mostly our senses of humor.  You can often find our whole family at the dinner table, and Brad and I will be hunched over our plates with tears streaming down our faces, which are beet red from laughter.  Everyone else will be looking at us either confused or just rolling their eyes.

Maybe the only thing we don't have in common (as you may already know) is our dedication to our favorite professional sports teams, which just so happen to be bitter rivals.  If you could read emails and texts exchanged between us from April-November (and even sometimes during the off season) you'd see a whole lotta trash talk.

One of Brad's strongest qualities I admire is his huge heart.  I can remember from an early age Brad always had a soft heart.  I can even remember as far back as when I didn't go to school yet, and one particular morning when all the other kids in our family were leaving for school, I was so sad and started to cry because I didn't want them to leave.  Brad being the tender guy that he is gave me a quarter and all was made better.  (Guess I was easily bought even in the early years.)

Anyway, even though all my family is out west, as well as Nadia's family, I'm selfishly grateful to have Brad, Nad, and Mad just a four hour bus ride away.  Brad is so great to always see me whenever he's in town on business, and they're always so welcoming for me to come stay with them at any time.

Happy birthday Brad!  My love for you has only grown as I've watched you become a husband, and more recently a father.  You continue to to amaze me with your talents, willingness to sacrifice for your family, and never ending love.  (Not to mention, I love you because you're freaking hilarious.)  :)

What do you do?

1. Husband

2. Dad

3. Serve

4.  a. Sell medical devices

b. Boston Red Sox Fan

Describe your perfect day.

Sleep in.  Southern California, 77 degrees, beach, clear skies, good food, whole famdamily over for dinner at the house.  Maybe watch a good game at night.  No phone.  No email.  No blackberry.

If you only had time to watch one tv show a week, which would you choose?

ESNP Sports Center and catch The Soup during commercial breaks.

(Mmmm, I love me some Soup!)

What's something people would be surprised to know about you?

I like to draw, but suck.  Wish I played an instrument.

(Lies, he's a great artist, just never shows anyone anything.)

When you've had a really bad day what makes you feel better?

A good run, but on the 364 other days of the year something greasy, followed by something sweet.  When that fails, Nad always is there to pick me up.

Who's your celebrity crush?

Female: Marissa Miller

Man crush: Dan Patrick

What's one of your favorite childhood memories?

Sports with Dad and Jason.  Fishing with Jason.

What's one of your guiltiest pleasures?

Snowballs, and maybe rap.  I mean, am I gonna listen forever?

If you could change one thing about the female race what would it be?

That's a no-win.

You've been married for over five years.  Is there anything that still surprises you?

How little I know.

If there was one year you could go back and relive, either to make changes or just because you had so much fun, what year would you pick and why?

Probably second or third year back from my mission.  It was a lot of carefree fun and I would make a few changes.

What's one of your favorite things about living in Boston?

Great city, great sports, great people, great feel.

What's your favorite part about being a dad?

Seeing the hope and love in her eyes and countenance.

What book are you currently reading?

Just finished a good one, The Expedition, and just picked up The Bourne Identity.

If I gave you $100,000 with the stipulation that you couldn't save it or invest it, and had to spend it within a week, what would you do with it?

Buy a hacienda...is real estate an investment?

What is a piece of modern technology that you could not live without?

Crackberry

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?

Is Rome, Austria, Costa Rica, Havasuppai a place?

What book should be required reading for (every American) everyone?

Jesus the Christ

(Parentheses around original question.)

You've got two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world.  Where do you go and who do you take?

Egypt, Nadster

What three material possessions do you value most?

Journal, picture books, MJ autograph

What are you looking forward to?

Closing the next deal.

What are three things on your "bucket list"?

Travel: Walk the Great Wall/Explore the Pyramids

Accomplish: Run a marathon with kid(s)

Learn: Water ski barefoot

Who is someone who has changed or shaped your life for the better?

Nad

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Fight for everything.  Even the little things.

What do you know to be absolutely positively true?

The gospel, and I'll always hate the Yankees.