happy {23rd} birthday, j.

today my brother turns 23 years old. it is incredible to think that he is so grown up; he even has a wife and two pups now! looking back, i have so many fond memories growing up with him. i'm not sure how he and i got to be so "old." in honor of his special day:

justin w. leach ...
01. ... was my best friend from the time that he was born
02. ... didn't talk for a long time because i said everything for him
03. ... could close his ears while napping, and they would remain shut for 10-15 minutes after he woke up
04. ... had a "rat tail" hair cut in elementary school
05. ... would go hiking with me for hours in the hillside on the mountain we grew up on, with nothing but his bow and arrow, a canteen, and a baggy filled with peanuts and dates
06. ... loved to sing about his "fellow man"
07. ... and shout hall-le-EU-la in our little country church
08. ... looked forward to friday nights because that's when we were allowed to sleep in the same room talking and giggling together
09. ... cried the first time that i didn't want to have our ritual friday night "sleep over" {now i cry to think that we don't have weekly moments together like that anymore}
10. ... was known around our house as brother bear
11. ... and eventually bubby when sierra began talking
12. ... now i can him j
13. ... is an all-star athlete, good at any sport that he tries, and especially talented at basketball
14. ... could truly be a stand up comedian, giving jerry seinfeld and dane cook both a run for their money
15. ... has always wanted nothing more than a wife and children to love and support
16. ... looks after his big little sister when she needs it
17. ... and remembers to spend time with his little sister
18. ... has had too many motocycle accidents to speak of, but loves riding as much as ever
19. ... has always looked out for the underdog
20. ... can carry on an entire convesation in his sleep
21. ... and can also fall asleep in the middle of a sentence having a conversation while wide awake
22. ... has been thought to be my twin when others meet us
23. ... is the greatest brother & friend a girl could ask for