I was lucky enough to know Josh from the time we where 10 years old.  We met in Glenwood Springs one summer and got to talking and learned that the next year we were going to be on the same football team and we were going to the same elementary school.  From that time on we were inseperable.  I never played another football game until he passed that Josh didnt run onto the field with me.  He was my best friend but he took care of me like a big brother.  Even though I was the smallest kid in all of our schools, until our sophomore year of high school, no one ever messed with me because Josh wouldn't allow it.  We would play tackle football one on one in front of his house in Sequoia, he would smear me every play.  He love Oklahoma Football more than anything in the world.  He loved making people laugh and feel good.  We experienced all of our adolesence and on to college side by side.  Something reminds me about Josh everday and all I can do is smile because they are all happy memories.  I am lucky to now have a son named Josh that can share the name of one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.  Love you and miss you Josh.

I met Josh my freshman year of high school and from the day we met he had me cracking up.  While most people know that I laugh at almost everything, Josh was no exception.  Whether it was singing Karma Chameleon by Culture Club (the same verse over and over!) or him and Chris Reese wearing Stacey's shorts on their head dancing to No Doubt's I'm Just a Girl, or covering my yard (front and back) in toilet paper during the TP Wars, Josh knew how to bring a smile to my face.  I had never (and still have never) seen the movie Tommy Boy and so one high school night when we were all at Laura's house, he put on one of Julie's coats, zipped it up and walked around saying fat guy in a little coat! I thought it was the funniest thing ever and had no clue it was from a movie.  Or the time he begged me to wear my frog ring (quite obnoxious now that I look back) and swore he'd give it right back....and I never saw it again. 

I'll never forget the time Nicole and I went with Josh to Celebrity Tattoo in Lakewood to get his tattoo on his back.  He was in so much pain he was chewing on his shirt! I couldn't believe it hurt him so much.  I'm pretty sure we all talked about going back and getting tattoos together.

I will always treasure the time I spent with Josh and the memories we made.  Summer 2001 will forever have a special place in my heart.

I was lucky to spend my middle school and high school years with Josh and make many more great memories along the way. He became a big brother to many of us girls and was always there when we needed a reality check, a good picking on, or a hug. But none of those memories compare to the summer of 2001. That summer I, along with Annie and Erika, ended up spending a lot of time with Josh and I will forever cherish every minute of it. 

A few of my favorite memories from that summer:The night he stuffed Annies veggie burger with meat, The night Annie and I dropped him off from Chief Hosa and he ran into his garage while looking back and waving goodnight to us. The nights he would stop by my house on the way to the gym and beg me to go workout with him, and then the nights he would stop by after the gym just to talk. The night in the Hambulance when him and Jack pushed eachother around a parking lot (drunk) in shopping carts. The 4th of July. A night on his front porch with him and Erika. The randomn phone calls of totally obnoxious singing... and nothing else. And most importantly, the night he got his tattoo.

Erika and I promised Josh we would take him to get a tattoo before the summer was over and I remember how surprised we both were that he was so scared to do it.  We helped him pick out the design and made sure it was placed perfectly on his back. My favorite part was that big tough Josh asked to hold both of our hands, and as we sat there (for a very long time) we all laughed and talked about the summer. Afterwards we took him to Noodles for the first time and I remember he ordered buttered noodles. Of course I had to give him a hard time... who orders buttered noodles at a place that specializes in noodles?

The last night of the summer I spent with Josh, Annie and Erika at Staceys house. I remember when I showed up I was really sad about a little summer fling I had and how it was ending. I remember him telling me I was stupid. This was something Josh told me often but this time it was in a really sweet way. He told me I was stupid for being upset over a guy that didn't realize how great I was. He told me to hold my head up high and let him leave, that he didn't deserve me anyway. I have never forgotten that and never will. It was the last time I got a Josh hug, which I am pretty sure ended with a smack on the ass.

I am thankful everyday for that summer and for the gift of Joshes friendship.