Robert was the boy next door in my dorm hall in college. He likes to tell a story about how his first memory of me is of me stabbing an apple with a spork, because I didn't "like to bite into things." I like to tell the story about how he offered me a banana and I said, "I'm ALLERGIC to bananas." Obviously, meaning I hated them - but he thought I was literally allergic to them for years until I finally corrected him.
Robert is one of the coolest people I know - fun, exciting, giggly, optimistic and smart, eloquent, well-read, cultured. He is brave and it has been lovely watching him discover himself over the years. He has always made me feel so good about myself and I hope he can say the same about me.
These days, I only get to see him 4 or 5 times a year, even though he lives about... 20 miles away. Luckily, we have one of those friendships where you can pick up right where you left off.
Happy Birthday, my lovely Rupert! :)
