For Keegan
“We’ll be brothers forever. What happens to one of us, happens to us together.”
On this very day, Keegan Nye was born some odd years ago. Sometimes I think he’s 25, and other days I feel like he is still 16. But today, he is the big 21. In my heart, I still see us as the high school kids driving around after school, blaring the most horrible music you’ve ever heard. We are both getting older, Keegan is getting married, and we are soon both about to graduate college. Keegan, no matter where we are in life or how far we may live, you will forever be the brother I never had.
When I get a crazy idea or want to talk about God, Keegan knows I am calling him ASAP. Do I call him too much? Probably. Does his Fiance Emily call me his boyfriend because of how much I call him? Maybe……. But Keegan just gets me. In high school, we were inseparable. From going to the casino to eating at the Burrito Bowl on Rogers (RIP), we have shared a lot of our lives together. We have been there for each other through the easy times, the hard times, and all the times in between. It is hard for me to articulate just how much he means to me after all these years together. We have had our moments at times, but even when we don’t see each other for months, it is like not a single day has gone by. I feel so incredibly blessed and honored to have him in my life. Through my faith journey, Keegan was one of my largest inspirations. Ironically, and he would never admit it, but I think Keegan looked up to me in high school. In the funny twist of events of me exploring my faith, I looked up to Keegan. We have always been able to challenge and grow with each other, and I really value that. We’ve laughed until we cried, cried until we laughed, and somehow lived long enough to tell the stories.
Keegan loves his Huji Pictures
Keegan got engaged to the love of his life, Emily, a few months ago. In all confession, I love Emily. He made a great choice, and I’m glad he chose her because I enjoy being around her. Because Keegan is such a big part of my life, Emily has now become a big part of mine and will forever hold a special place in my heart as well. I knew the engagement was coming, and I was really sad that I wasn’t able to attend. But if you know anything about Keegan, I am really surprised he planned out a proposal and didn’t just ask her at 2 in the morning on some random hiking trail. But I remember the day it happened, and I kept asking for a photo to post for them. Finally, it goes live while I am in the shower. I just remember standing there, and I started crying. I don’t know why, but I did. I was just so proud of those two and how far they have come. Keegan and I have been through it all after so many years, and I couldn’t believe my little brother was getting engaged.
So Happy Happy Birthday, Keegan. I love you to the moon and back. You’re my brother in this life, and the next one as well. Thank you for always supporting, challenging, loving, and laughing with me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you. Thank you for everything, Kween Kee Kee. I can’t wait to stand by your side on your wedding day and for all the other moments afterward. We’re brothers forever, no matter what happens. No matter how hard I could ever try and shake it, I’ve got too much Keegan in my heart to ever forget all the ways you’ve impacted me. Peace be with you, forever and ever, amen.
I hope you have the purr-fect day