Appreciate you, Tino

Dear Tino,

Thank you.

You came into my life at a time when I was searching. I was also partying and having fun. Or maybe I thought I was.

Either way, since the first day, I resonated with you, and it was a different kind of fun. I felt a part of something and the more and more we hung out, the more I felt I had to live up to something. And that something, was my potential.

You brought this out of me.

And how did you do it? You led by example.

I have 7 role models in my life, now eight, but you were and are part of that original 7. A 7 that is made up of family and one really good basketball player, and you.

What did you do?

You showed me what it was to be a man and hold an upright standard for himself. As someone who has an incredible job and career path, as well as undoubtably smooth charisma and handsomeness (yes, I will say that) because I think it ties that whole story together. A man who has everything, and yet still walks the walk with the utmost humbleness in each step.

This is what I saw from you each and every time that we hung out.

You opened your doors for me to stay at your place and treated me like everyone else when I was still searching for a job that I loved. ***I am leaving a lot of this letter as I am coming up on my bedtime, and I didn’t hit the word count to qualify for this challenge, but I will still post it and I am glad that I was able to write this much.***

I had to come back and write more. Sunday Funday's.. I was invited. Parties at Harrah's Pool, I was invited. Down the shore, I was invited. And I was introduced and welcomed to your family (special shoutout to Gio) and it was more than partying. I felt that I was being mentored the whole time.

You see.. the partying I knew how to do, and I was younger. But you would show me and talk to me about acting appropriately, getting an 'ADULT' haircut!.. how to hold a conversation and be there for others. Because not only was I being supported, but you were always the glue amongst the friend group and there to rile everyone up during a Giants touchdown, as well as settle everyone in during a later night dinner or simple stroll along the boardwalk.

Now came this time where after so long!.. I see you at Mike's wedding. When he told me that you would be there, there are no words to describe the joy that I felt. We haven't seen each other in maybe over ten years, so I knew it would be special. Then sure enough, we get seated at the same table too.

There you get to meet up with my parents who also know how much you meant to me even though I don't believe that I ever told them, they just feel it. Then sitting, having a meal and sharing the wedding moment with you was so special and the conversation flowed better than I could've imagined.

So you invite me (again!) to your Halloween Party, and my goodness was it fun. Again, another party, but with you, these parties are different. They are a different celebration, and that is of life and friendship. All the friendships that were there, family and family friends alike.

With that, thank you most for showing me what it is like to be a friend.

Love you.

Mike