Storm and I were step brothers who became actual brothers over the course of our lives.  We became best friends and frequently acknowledged the fortune we shared because we had each other. We experienced tough personal losses and some failures that we helped each other get through as well as victories that we were able to rejoice over together.  But we always rooted for and encouraged each other. We made certain that we raised our children (born two weeks apart) together. We didn’t live in the same state for many years but made sure we spent vacation time together, no matter what.  We are both educators and during the school year we would call each other every Friday after work and vent about or celebrate the week’s events. We were both so proud that we could see ourselves as caring, committed and positively impactful teachers who always worked to help young people through their struggles. We depended on each other in the most positive way and there is a giant hole where our friendship was. He gave a lot to many people. I have and will always miss his intelligence, his compassion, his generosity and the unconditional love and support he gave so willingly.  As absolutely crushing as it is to know that I won’t have that as I get older, (which of course I was truly counting on), I want to leave these words here and try my best to celebrate Storm today and every time I think about him. I want to be thankful for the gift of having him as a brother while I did and I want his family, both blood and spiritual, to continue to be my family forever. I love you man. You’re with me forever brother. Still can’t believe you’re gone. 

My first day of school was at Anchorage elementary. I was already nervous and had asked my mother to walk me in where I met our kindergarten teacher and the rest of the class who seemed to be happy to see us. Our teacher introduced me to the class and I was greeted with smiles. As my nerves began to calm down and and I seemed to be more at ease our teacher spoke up and announced that I would be sitting with Storm. Storm was to show me around the class and campus. The tense feeling came back as the class gasped as if something sucked all the air out of the room. As the kids whispered and pointed I noticed one of them sitting in the corner at a table all to himself. He picked his head up and looked at me through these long orange bangs after hearing his name. I did as I was told and took a seat as I reluctantly waved by to my mom.
 Storm and I hit it off right away and have been friends ever since. The two of us came best of friends or should I say brothers. We remained close through Jr and high school and always looked out for one another as we entered our 20's . I truly miss him and like to believe he's still watching my back to this day...