Everyone has a friend who is there for everything. A friend who you grow up with and grow old with. Who partakes in all of the milestones. Is a life of the party. Will always have your back. Yeah, I could do this for days. Pat’s your guy. He’s *my* guy, someone I could always rely on for a good time. Pat just has a way about him to make anything fun. A natural born athlete, he excels at just about any sport. So word to the wise, if you’re picking teams, choose him first. 

 Whenever I look at Pat, it reminds me of my move to Holmdel and how it changed it my life forever. As the person who befriended me first when I moved to Jersey, Pat’s really grown with me. Through sports, scouts, adolescence, and adulthood, he’s always by my side. Always grinning that big toothy grin, Pat just wants to ensure everyone’s happy. Except when you have a snowball fight with the kid - kid’s a sniper. 

 Through our many years of friendship Pat lived in China. I always felt bad for not visiting, but Pat never minded. He would come home and always reach out. I’d be reunited with my buddy and it would be like all times. Pat, without a doubt, has shown me the value of lifelong friends.

 Anyone can be there for a good time though, and although Pat is great for that, he knows how to show up for the real times as well. At our buddy’s bachelor party when I was in the midst of a manic episode, he was sitting right next to me calming me down. This is the stuff you don’t forget. That’s a true friend.  He’s shown the importance of always being there. I can’t thank you enough for that, Patty. Love you, big guy.

So Pat there’s only one option we have for each other. Let’s continue to grow up together. We still have a lot to learn and more experiences to have but I want to have them with you, buddy. We’ve had the privilege of being friends for over 25 years. What do you say to 50?