Matt and I ended up taking a quick trip to Walmart for some ingredients for a family meal, and in the fairly short drive he had managed to share with me his entire life story. It was incredible, he mentioned his migrations to and from New York, his rock bottoms, his happiest moments, and his various love interests. When he was done he asked me how my childhood was, and all I really had to say was 'I studied a lot and played some video games'. I remember two very distinct takeaways from the conversation, that it was extremely impressive how quickly he was able to lay down his entire life, and how genuenly candid and spontaneous he was.

When I was down in Austin just a few months ago, Matt came up to visit Brandon, Stella, Bekah and I with Kristin. While he was there, on a whim, Matt, Kristin and I all decided to get tattoos. Matt ended up not getting his tattoo when Kristin and I did because he thought the parlor was a little too expensive, but he still paid for mine. I got my first tattoo right above my left elbow on the inside of my arm, and it reads "what do you desire?" with devil horns over the D. This is a quote used often in the show Lucifer, a show that Matt and I both loved. I remember him being so excited to pay for my tattoo because it was my first one and he felt like he was continuing a tradition in the family. Josh had paid for Matt's first tattoo and now Matt had paid for mine. I remember him telling me that I had to continue the tradition and pay for Bekah's first tattoo, but when I told him that she didn't want tattoos, he told me that I had to pay for Stella's. I almost didn't get a tattoo then because of covid and being nervous, but I'm so glad that I did because I now have this tattoo on my arm to remind me of a good memory with Matt.

I have literally no context to provide in relation to this video except that my best friend (of 12 years) and I were some crazy, nonsensical middle schoolers who liked to stay up all night much like Matt, the only difference is that we grew up in the times of YouTube so our whack ass antics are out there for the whole world to see. Never thought I'd be thankful for that until remembering this video existed just five minutes ago. I know you can't see his face but just seeing his voice and hearing him go along with whatever the fuck we were doing is enough to get me through another day. 

This one is short but I just remembered this one as well. When I was in 6th grade I took choir and every time we had a concert my sister was always there with my mom, and I would always be in the top row in the back when we lined up on the bleachers on stage which was good for me because it was always easy to spot my mom and sister no matter where they sat. I couldn't tell you the date but one particular choir concert I had, I remember that Matt had come along with my sister and mom, be it because he didn't have work or something, I'm not sure. I never really looked for him because I was so used to it just being my mom and my sister, but I remember so specifically this speech my choir teacher used to give to just clap after every performance but never to hoot or holler. A rule that should never have been invented and one that my family never followed because they love and support me. I remember after finishing one song hearing my mom shout like the building was on fire, but more than that I can hear my brother's deep, guttural "woo woo woo!" practically echoing off the walls of the cafeteria where our stage was. It was the biggest surprise having him there and hearing him hoot and holler for me louder than all the claps in the room. Even though I was sometimes annoying and accidentally unplugged his internet cable when he was playing video games, he was still the most supportive ginger brother I could ask for and I love him and miss him so much.

Was just sitting here watching Netflix when I remembered a funny and fond memory I have of Matt when I still lived in Houston. He had come over to the apartment one night, I don't remember what for, but I remember it was dark out and Matt had mentioned wanting to go for a swim. I had told him the pool was closed, and I just remember him laughing because it really didn't matter how many locks you put on the pool gate, the fence that surrounded the pool was short and surrounded by benches and chairs so jumping it was so easy! (I don't condone this behavior but when Matt wanted to do something, I'll be damned if he was going to let anything stop him!) I can't remember if Bekah was there, but I know there was more than just Matt and I there and he was showing my how to do a handstand in the water in a way that kept my legs straight. I had watched him do a handstand a couple of times and decided it was my turn to try so I dived under the water, but I guess I wasn't keeping my legs straight enough so Matt had reached out to help me straighten my legs, but instead he just startled me so I dropped my legs and ended up hitting him in the face. I was never able to forget that memory because when I whacked him in the face, I busted his eyebrow open to the point of thinking he might need stitches. There was blood dripping down his face and I kept apologizing over and over again, even though he swore he was fine. He had a scar on his eyebrow for the rest of his life because of that, and I used to always brag that I was the one who kicked his ass and gave him that scar. 

I've given a lot of thought to what story I want to share. The memory that keeps coming to mind is my birthday beating.
In my family, everyone gets whoopings on their birthday. Of course, we all try to avoid them. However, by the end of the night, we end up getting our whooping. On this particular birthday weekend, Matthew was over helping us build a deck. This deck wasn't just any deck. It was huge. We all worked, had fun, and made memories. By the end of the night it was time for them to tackle me and give me my birthday whooping. Matthew, being Matthew, didn't quite understand that he wasn't supposed to really hurt me. So Matthew, being Matthew, proceeded to really beat the hell out of me. I think I carried whelps for several days. LOL Needless to say the rest of the people had to pull him off me and explain that it was opposed to be a fun birthday spanking not a beating. Needless to say, I knew to fully explain the course of action from then on. Rest in peace, kid. You and your family will always be my family. Love ya. 

I remember when this photo was taken like it was taken yesterday, (and I wish it was because that would mean Matt is still here). We were taking our family photos at some place at Memorial City Mall, and much like the usual Matt, he arrived last out of all of us. I don't know if the photo is posted on here yet, but this was the family photoshoot where we looked like we just walked off the set of one of the Godfather movies. Since Matt was always the one to arrive fashionably late to every family event, we all highly anticipated his arrival, but I like to think that I anticipated it more than anyone else because anytime I got to see Matt was like waking up on Christmas day, it always got me so excited. I remember on this day, we were all sitting inside the little photo studio, waiting for a text from Matt that he was there, and when we got the message that he was close, I was the first one to dart out of my seat and book it out to him. He wasn't even right outside the studio, he was at the other end of the main mall hallway (practically), but I still ran all the way to him and gave him a big hug, like I always did, and like I always did too, I almost made him spill whatever drink it was that he was carrying. This photo shows us walking back to the studio together, looking like the bad bitches we are, almost like there should be a Michael Bay explosion behind us or something. I like to think that Matt and I are much like Team Rocket: prepare for trouble and make it double!

We have this running joke in my family (at least among us kids). Who is mom's favorite kid? I won't go into the reasons behind why we thought each kid was the favorite, its much too personal. But it was a constant joke. "Oh, of course she answers when MATT calls. He's the favorite." To which my mom would say, "Stop it!" I'm pretty sure she hates this joke but it will absolutely live on. Sorry, not sorry, Mom.

You might notice that Matt and Josh walked both my mom and me doing the aisle at my wedding. While planning my wedding, I tried to think of who I wanted to walk me down the aisle. Josh or Matt, Josh or Matt. I thought maybe Josh, and Matt could walk Mom. Or the reverse. I couldn't decide. I never feel right about picking one sibling over another. This is something that my mom definitely instilled in us. She loves us all equally, and I think, all us kids are the same way. No favorites (though there's a story there, too). 
SO. I picked both Matt and Josh. It was quite funny on the wedding day. Matt and Josh walked my mom down the aisle, then ran back to me (which was quite a ways away, should be able to see this in other pictures) and walked be down the aisle. It was awesome. 

Matt first met my daughter, Stella, when she was 4 weeks old. We were visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving. I was a first time mom and everything was very new to me. I wasn't comfortable nursing and pumping around my in-laws, so I went to our bedroom to nurse and pump. Matt arrived and knocked on our bedroom door. I told him he could come in, but I wasn't decent. He said something about how he didn't care, probably cracked a joke about me pumping and nursing at the same time. But all I specifically remember is how comfortable I was. I didn't worry about covering myself or holding Stella in a way that could hide my boobs or tummy better. I just nursed. That was really cool. Its really hard to feel so comfortable nursing when the baby is so little. She was still learning, it was still a little uncomfortable, and it was just awesome how wonderful Matt was. 
(There's a picture of Stella and Matt together right after this. I'll caption it referencing this story so you know which pic.)

Matthew was always the sweetest and always made it a point to say hello anytime we ran into him. He always made our days pleasant when he came into dollar tree with his wonderful sense of humor and just all around pleasant attitude. He is and was truly loved and will greatly be missed.