We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Prompted Blogging to Bring You: My Brother

This is my little brother.


Obviously, the term "little" is relative. For some reason I don't have any pictures of him standing with Nikki and me, but he kind of towers.

Jared graduates today which makes me feel indescribably old. It feels like so recently that I sat on that football field all sweaty in my polyester cap and gown, but here Jared is, 6 years (!!) later, preparing to take that same walk.

In 8 months he will be 19. In the Mormon world that means he'll soon be leaving to serve a two year mission for our church. I won't see him for two years. That is such a very long time. Time enough for Nikki and I both to have babies. For some reason that's where my mind keeps going...he will have family members that will be huge parts of our lives that he won't know at all until he gets home.

My brother has grown into someone I not only love but like. I enjoy being around him. He's funny and sincere and smart. He loves traveling and the National Geographic channel. And despite a few years of rampant geekiness, he's also a lot cooler than Nikki and I ever were (I know! I was not cool! Can you believe it!).

He's also secure enough to occasionally let his geek flag fly. I eavesdropped on this recent Facebook conversation:

David: you're right. it's time for this little squirtle to evolve into a blastoise.
Jared: You have to become a warturtle first though of course. Not that I would know.
David: yeah i just thought that would be too much to dish out at once
Jared: So you thought Blastoise would dish out less. He has freaking cannons on his back.

That's right. Jared busted out his long-held Pokemon knowledge in front of his friends. He's cool enough to do that.

So congratulations, baby brother, we're so proud of you and your accomplishments! We love you!