To The Girl Who Just Might Marry My Birthday-Boy Brother....

Happy Birthday, Uncle Michael!!!!

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TO THE GIRL WHO JUST MIGHT MARRY MY BROTHER...

I'll start at Michael's very beginning...

When I was nearly 5 years old, a cute little brown-haired, blue-eyed baby entered the world. I didn't realize it at the time, but this darn little boy was stealing from me the precious "youngest child" spot, and forcing me into the dreaded "middle child" seat. Good thing I didn't comprehend the certain doom that comes with being the middle child, cuz I sure loved that cute, smiley, crazy little brother. Yes...I adored the toddler who ate fertilizer, swung a shovel at the neighbor's cat, and transformed our house of dolls and barbies into a house of trains and trucks.

Michael was always a stubborn little stinker. He was the two-year old who refused to order anything off the kids' menu. And he hasn't changed much (although I'm pretty sure he doesn't torture animals anymore). He's still stubborn, still a stinker, still the spoiled youngest child, and still a cute little brown-haired, blue-eyed, loving, talented boy. So here are a few things you need to know...

1. Michael is stubborn...never one to conform. Just because YOU want to play with barbies doesn't mean HE wants to.
2. Michael has expensive taste. So what if the kids' menu is only $2 and enough food for his little stomach. He wants the $20 meal anyway.
3. Michael is NOT afraid to try new things. Find the craziest, grossest sounding menu item. He'll order it, and love it!
4. Michael loves to tease! When I was an exhausted High School student (barely surviving early morning seminary), Michael didn't understand the beauty of naps, and would make as much noise as he could to ruin my blissful slumber...just to get a monster-me reaction!
5. Michael (now) loves to sleep! Don't interrupt HIM while he's napping! (Although being a wife will sort of grant you the privilege...especially when kids come into the picture...WAKE UP, da**it!)
6. Michael will, however, give up sleep for fun. He's always up for a late night dip in the hot tub..."for the memory."
7. Michael remembers E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.
8. Michael is VERY supportive of his family.
9. Michael is a home-body. When his friends were out partying, he preferred staying home.
10. Michael is a crazy driver.
11. Michael is a good boy! I think I've only heard Michael swear ONCE in his life...it seriously sounded like a foreign language coming out of his mouth!
12. Michael loves music...and somehow finds the most random, crazy songs. And he knows all the words. And he'll sing them loudly in the bathroom when your kids are sleeping.
13. Michael has NEVER changed a diaper in his life.
14. Michael loves cooking. He learned to cook LOOOONG before I did.
15. Michael is very opinionated.
16. Michael is very honest.
17. Michael will always give you his (sometimes brutally) honest opinion. After listening to a performance of my singing group at Christmas-time, he said, "You guys blended really well. That says a lot, because Robyn is sometimes really good at NOT blending."
18. Michael is a friend of the friendless.
19. Michael only wrote me ONE letter my entire mission. (I'm still a bit bitter).
20. Luckily he's made up for it with lots of phone calls and visits in the two years he's been home. He's VERY thoughtful!
21. Michael will be a dog owner someday.
22. Kids love him.
23. Old ladies love him.
24. Michael will treat you like a princess!

There's more...much more...but I'll leave it at 24 (since it IS Michael's 24th B-day). Later I'll tell you about being chased down the hall, fighting, punching holes in the bedroom doors, turtle funerals, and stuffed animals named "Brownie." But I have to say...he's a pretty dang good catch. One that I've been happy to be the "middle child" because of! Can't wait to find out what happens next! Oh the suspense! Good luck! And Happy Birthday, Miguelito!

Love,

Robyn