I’ve always wanted a little brother. Ever since I was a kid I thought there was a second sibling that I was missing and it was a baby brother. Enter Phil Sabbagh. Wow, was I in luck. Phil is the kind of guy who reaches for the moon and is never quite satisfied. So instead, he reaches for the stars. Phil started out the awkward little turtle everyone knew and loved and instead became a force to be reckoned with. And even though he’s my little brother, he shines brighter than most.

Our relationship started when he first moved over to Holmdel. He would be invited for a game we all played growing up called Tennis Racket Baseball. I would have the distinct honor of gracing myself in his presence and I knew there was something special about him. We instantly hit it off and for years we decided to become gym partners. Both of us chubby little jabronis at the time, we blossomed into mini little Hercules-es. It was the golden years of lifting for me, because it was the period in which I was working out with my brother. Phil had bigger goals in mind, however.

Throughout the next few years he would travel all across the US to further pursue his aeronautical engineering career. He would sharpen his skills everywhere, from NY to Michigan to Colorado to California. Not only was he able to further his studies but the inner daredevil in him came out to play. Phil would pursue skydiving, fast driving, and motorcycle pursuits unlike anyone I’ve ever seen. My little brother was growing up right before my eyes into a person who seemed almost like a superhero.

However, he never forgot about me. I must say, every time he was in town he would make a point to pop in or spend some quality time with me and I treasured it. It was the reunion of siblings. I finally saw him in his element in California, his settled-down spot and could not be prouder. There a few people I would travel across the country for, but for Phil I would do it at a moment’s notice.