Happy birthday, Sam
09.03.2003
My younger brother is 25 years old today. I have a "little" brother (Andy) and a "younger" brother (Sam). He's busy at grad school and working in Grand Rapids, but I'll see him in a few days to celebrate.
Sam & I moved away together. Twice. When we moved to America, Sam stayed w/ me while the rest of the family sold the house and the rest of our stuff. We shared a basement at Grandma & Grandpa's and leared about lunch boxes, GI Joe, and baseball.
Almost seven years ago, we moved away together to Kalamazoo. I was starting grad school at Western; Sam was starting college for the first time. Instead of the freshmen dorm experience, Sam got to live in the luxurious graduate apartments on Stadium Drive. Instead of dorm room Sega & Playstation parties, Sam helped me host Martini & White Russian parties for my (and his) grad student friends. I was always impressed that he was never intimidated, and could hold his own in any conversation about historiography or political theory. Of course, none of my friends knew anything about engineering.
Eventually, I let Sam live w/ his undergrad friends in the student ghetto and I left to live by myself (w/ cats) in a downtown apartment. But I always remember those first years of grad school w/ Sam. We made each other ice cream sundaes, emailed each other from the same room, and took turns washing dishes.
Now he's a dad. And Novali's the smartest, cutest little niece anyone could ever hope for. And I'm sure Sam's gonna be an awesome college administrator someday — or a politician.
Oh, and my favorite little factoid about Sam: He designed the so-called "oh shit" bar for the PT Cruiser.
Posted by Miguel at 12:15 PM
Comments
it was just a grab handle, but "oh shit bar" sounds like such a better name.
the day is off to a typical Sam schedule; too many hours at the office, with too little to do, boring classes i wish i did not have to attend, and good friends and family to remind me why i get up each day.
thanks for the post.
Posted by: sam at September 3, 2003 01:19 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM! You are right Miguel, Sam is probably the most well-rounded man I know. ... in more ways than one! LOL, ok sorry sam, I had to throw in a fat joke. :)
Posted by: Andres at September 3, 2003 01:21 PM
hey that is not funny... i lost ten pounds! thanks for the place to crash last night Andy. Good seeing you Miguel.
Posted by: sam at September 5, 2003 03:00 PM