Krystal

35 Years of Friendship

40 Years of Light

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Wow. Forty years young — and thirty-five of those years I’ve been lucky enough to call you my friend. From our first days at Champlain big school, running around rock city near the playground, to assemblies in the sunken library and later gym while Mrs. Sawatsky (was that her name?) played Beautiful British Columbia on the piano, you’ve been a constant in my life.

We grew up together, and sometimes side by side, in Champlain — the trails, Everette Crowley, Fires at the lookout and Avalon Pond, and the annex, the vil, and later branching out all over the place. I believe at one point we had a Backstreet Boys dance party at my place in tivoli? I remember so many hotties there, esp. you! though I believe they may have been there to catch glances @ my brother (was that high school or elementary school?!) to the slightly questionable tradition of me slapping your butt pretty often in the halls at Killarney. Somewhere in there, remember when we thought we should date? — for about a week?, maybe less? – could have been a day (I think we assumed as some point – that since we had been such great friends for so long, that we must also be – or should be - lovers. While on your front porch after making out for about 5 seconds we stopped, looked at each other in the eyes, felt (at least I did) what it must be like to tongue wrestle a sibling. I wouldn’t trade even that awkward moment for anything.

Your family has been woven into mine too — I’ll never forget buying that ’82 motorcycle from your dad and learning to ride it while living across the street. Later, living together in Kits, throwing parties, and scaring off neighbors with your boyfriend’s “helicopter” are memories that still make me laugh.

I wish I could be there in person to celebrate with you today — but please know I’m raising a glass from afar. I’m so proud of the amazing woman, wife, and mom you’ve become, and I feel so lucky that our friendship has lasted these 35 years and counting.

So here’s to you, Krystal — may your 40th year be filled with joy, laughter, and everything you deserve. I can’t wait to add another 35 years of memories together.

Happy birthday, my longest friend.

With love,
Keith

PS. It’s perhaps a little poetic that this message was supposed to come along with a video shout-out + special riff from Marvin Shandrick (Slim) from 112 - remember “Only You”, “Cupid”, “Anywhere”. And then when he blew off last minute, Xzibit, who also blew off even more last minute. It got me thinking that they’re from back in the day, and I don’t know who your favourite artists are right now (probably a lot more reliable than Slim and X. There’s a huge gap where I haven’t been the friend I used to be, haven’t been to enough celebrations for you, Brad, Kai, Jaxon, Liam, and Ava, and wasn’t close enough (physically or emotionally) to support you as a good friend in the toughest times. Lucky for me you do a great job keeping in touch, exuding love and positivity for all those important in your life, of which I feel truly privileged to be counted among. Here’s to you again Krystal - you’re an inspiration in the greatest sense.