This past weekend, we celebrated Brad’s birthday. Brad was the best man at my wedding and one of my three closest friends. I was the best man at his wedding a few years ago. He and I met in a journalism class at Northeastern, many years ago. He needed a photographer who could ski, and I needed free lift tickets. He says he remembers me as the guy who always came to class with a box of Fig Newtons and a big bottle of Orangina.
The birthday barbeque was planned by his wife, Cindy, and got a fair bit of his family together. His mother, Dian, and her husband, Brekke, were there, as was his younger sister, Lindsey. His mother-in-law, Mary, showed up as well. My parents and I went. As did Lara, her parents and her sister Julie. Lara also brought Dew, another of Brad’s friends, along.
His brother didn’t show up, but since Adam, Akiko and their daughter live in Japan, it is understandable. His brother-in-law, Adam, was out at the Cape, and didn’t make it. Dave, Melissa and their daughter Ashley, were also invited, but did not show up.
Cindy, as usual, provided way too much food. I helped her by grilling the hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. We also had a cheese tray, Terra Chips with dip, veggies with dip and a big fruit platter. I don’t think anyone has every left something Cindy hosted hungry.
Brad must be getting really old… he was having trouble blowing out all the candles on his cake. I think that’s a sign that there are too many there.
I think the highlight of the day was the gift that Julie and her parents brought. Julie had painted a portrait of Fenway, Brad and Cindy’s gigantic golden doodle, from a photo of him as a puppy. Her parents had the painting matted and framed. I have to say, it is a remarkable painting of Fenway…. I just hope he doesn’t try to eat the painting.
Happy birthday Brad!