Tyler's Birthday

So, sweet baby brother Tyler has been on his mission in Spain for 1yr! Yesterday was his 20th birthday, the last birthday he will celebrate on the mission. He will be back the week before his 21st birthday :) As I composed my weekly email to him on Sunday afternoon, I thought about what he is like not just as my brother, but who he is as a person. I made him a list of 20 reasons why he is awesome in honor of his 20th birthday. Although, now that I've had more time to ponder, I think I will revamp my list. So here goes:

1. Tyler has awesome hair. Ridiculous, I know, but seriously, this kid has the best luscious locks in the world (aside from Kate). He has naturally dark brown curly hair that only seems to get darker as he gets older. He gets his curls from dad (like me) and calls it his "Jew-fro."

2. He takes care of his health. He eats super healthy, he works out a whole bunch, and he understands what it means to be active and fit in the crazy, consumer-driven world of food in which we currently live.

3. He is incredibly observant. I guess this one is no surprise, considering he has Ian and I as big siblings. We never let the poor kid get a word in edgewise, I'm still amazed he even learned how to talk! He notices details that most people overlook, and he remembers them too.

4. He has a mind of his own. I think this one says a lot about his integrity; he does what he wants and for reasons that make perfect sense when he explains them (although not always the wisest). Gotta give the kid credit for being about to own his actions.

5. He is always surprising me. Exhibit A, becoming a licensed EMT while still in high school. I had no idea he was interested in medicine, or even being a firefighter.

6. He decided to serve a mission. Exhibit B of constantly surprising me. Not only did he decide that he wanted to serve an LDS mission, he saved every single penny himself. I can only imagine what this boy is capable of when he gets back.

7. He is generous. Once when he worked at Smith's, a woman had forgotten her wallet and was scrambling to feed her kids. He paid for her order, and then she came back at the end of his shift to repay him! What a sweetheart.

8. He loves animals. He genuinely loves our family pets (maybe a bot too much at times) and you can clearly see that in some of his Facebook pics (see the album Sugar's Photo Shoot) and you'll know what I mean.

9. He is super supportive. Even though he's half a world away. his short emails are filled to the brim with love and supporting words telling me that there is a greater purpose, and that we are each meant for great things in this lifetime.

10. He is brave. Obviously, the kid wants to be a firefighter. 'Nuff said.

11. He loves his daddy. This kid has always been a Daddy's boy, he looks up to our dad like Simba looked up to Mufasa in The Lion King (Tyler's favorite childhood movie btw). Dad is his hero.

12. He loves his momma. He emails her every single week and sends her pictures to let her know that he is okay. Sometimes he even sends her presents!

13. He is friends with his big brother. Yeah, they fought as kids, but before he left on his mission he and Ian were practically inseparable. I'm glad they can be friends as adults.

14. He is humble. He lol's in our emails when I tell him how much the neighborhood friends miss him and how often they ask about him.

15. He never forgets to respond to my emails. Not ever.

16. He can longboard like a boss.

17. He has wicked awesome Rock Band skills.

18. He really is a sweetheart. He has a thoughtfulness streak that he hid form me for a really long time, until I finally saw him in action defending my honor.

19. He sets a good example not because he's trying to, but because he is doing what he thinks is right.

20. He is so smart (he must take after big sister), and I can't wait to see what he does next when he comes home from his mission next year.

Happy Birthday Buddy! Love you :)