Three weeks ago, I celebrated the most special golden birthday.

Dear Dan,

My wish to you is that you live this year to the fullest,

always living in the present

beginning each day as the sun rises,

eager to embrace the day.

I wish you reach your goals,

create your own success,

and chase your dreams

one after the other.

I wish you hike through a national park,

visit a new city,

make an English breakfast at a campsite,

and DJ with a fun crowd.

I wish you walk through the park

chatting about the places you yearn to see,

visiting your family, fishing, starting a business,

whatever feels right in the moment.

I wish you paint portraits and abstract art that we hang all around the apartment,

laugh, and yank the mattress off the bed

to watch an “action and adventure” movie

in the living room.

I wish you learn new fun facts,

sleep in on Saturdays,

eat pizza too many times in one week,

play COD with a beer in hand,

sing to the dog,

& always continue taking a sip of my drinks.

Whatever it is that you do

I hope it’s always good and fulfilling, and

I wish for nothing less.