Shout out #8: Carl

This heartfelt message goes out to my brother… although he is not an avid internet user… maybe someday he'll get a chance to read this. It is also fitting that this is his birthday and I celebrated it by doing one of the things I love most, skiing. I owe this hobby to him but also much more.

My big brother is one of my heroes. He would visit often when I was little and if I saw his truck in the driveway on a Friday after school I knew it was going to be an awesome weekend. In the summer my brother took me on a lot of amazing trips like mountain biking in the northwest hills of CT. When I was about 12, through hours frustration with me falling on my butt repeatedly, he taught me to ski. He recently gave it up due to concerns about a previous arm-dislocation injury which bums me out, but I continue to be grateful to him for introducing me to something that makes me so very happy, if only once or twice a year. We also went to a LOT of action movies.

One of the amazing things about my brother is that he always encourages me to pursue my dreams even if they are a little outlandish. "Yeah, you should go for it!" he would always say. He would drive long distances to drop me off or pick me up from school or the airport. When I was 17 we went on a month long trip around the US by train together and if he hadn't taken the time off to be my chaperone I never would have had that chance. He took the time to hang out with me when I'm sure he had much better things to do than entertain a teenager. Carl isn't the most extroverted person (though he is friendly and fun to hang out with and even loves a good concert), so it meant the world to me that he was willing to do the main photography for my wedding this past May. His artistic ability has always impressed me, but more than anything I have been touched by his kindness and generosity.

My sister and brother at my wedding in May