When you look back on your life, you can find things to be proud of if you look hard enough. This one’s not too hard to locate. I’ve known Joell Schmidling-Peysar since we were 12. That’s 32 years, if you’re counting! She’s the closest thing to a sister I will ever have in this lifetime. The road has been long, and full of times, both hard and unimaginably good. She’s a devoted mother and family member, one of the most positive people I’ve ever met in my life, and a fiercely supportive and protective friend. She taught me to see the bright side of any situation. She taught me about patience and fidelity. And today, I celebrate the anniversary of her birth.

Happy Birthday, Joie! Thank you for making my life a better place. I look forward to many more memories to add to our virtual scrapbook. Don’t you forget about me…