Not only do we celebrate Tommy’s birthday today, but we also celebrate Sean’s. A lot of you know Sean, even if your unsure of how Sean came to be part of our family. Sean is as much my brother as Will is….but it doesn’t end there. Heath thinks of him as a brother also. And so do Tommy, Caroline and Elise.

We met Sean in the spring of 2003 when he was Will’s roommate at Memphis. (Actually, I don’t think he was his roommate, just a good friend. They later became roommates.) From that point on, Sean was family. On college breaks or semesters that he wasn’t in school, he stayed with us. (Just for fun I should try to name all of the colleges he has attended…but not sure I have the brain power this morning to do that. The list is extensive.)

The boys eating ribs. Judging by Tommy’s age, this had to be one of Sean’s first (of MANY) rib cookings. Maybe even when he earned his Master BBQ Chef Certificate.

 

 

 

There were many times, especially when Heath had his heart attack, that I don’t know what I would have done if Sean had not been living with us. He was a world of help, seeing that Tommy was 3 and Caroline 1. More importantly than that, he was the friend that Heath so badly needed at that point.

Now, that being said, there are also some priceless stories to go along with it. From the ER nurses questioning Sean and Heath coming to the ER together, to Brutus eating the ribs (sorry Sean, couldn’t do without that one), to “If I wanted something sweet, I’d have gotten a popsicle, not a rib”, to the ever disappearing kitchen utensils. Or there was the Spring Break he threw Tommy at least 500 pitches a day. Or the CSI marathons. I could go on and on. If you know Sean, you know nothing happens without a great story coming from it. We have some stories to tell.

 

(Left)Sean and Tommy last year at their party. (Right)Sean Kelly and his namesake, Elise Kelly.

(Left)Sean, Tommy and Sean’s buddies from Chicago(Nate, Jack, Ryan and Scott). They flew in to celebrate Sean’s birthday last year. Jack and Ryan made it their 1st Annual Event and were back this past weekend to celebrate. These are a few of Sean’s many friends that have come to town to visit through the years.(Above)Their birthday cake. Tommy had me make Ohio State because it is his and Sean’s favorite (with the emphasis put on Sean there. I asked him if it was his way of making up for Sean’s Caillou birthday cake. See Tommy’s birthday blog to understand.)

Birthdays, last year (Left) and this past weekend (Right)

Gulf Shores, Al July 2008

I love Caroline’s face. She seems really happy. That is so unlike her!!

 

 

 

 

 

Sean dancing with the girls. They were having such a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean and Caroline, building a snowman (2007) and on the boat (2004).

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBQ, BBQ and more BBQ. Sean, being from Chicago, once thought of BBQ as being a delicacy. He has now cooked it more times that we can count. He has become quite good at it and has fed many. Now, the mess he leaves behind (from the door knobs to the cabinets all being wide open), that’s another story. Sorry, Sean, I couldn’t resist that one. You’ve taught me well to take the opportunity when it presents itself.

Hope you have a happy 29th birthday. Officially late 20’s. And the last year you can claim 20-something. Sorry, but it happens to us all. We love you and are all proud to call you our brother.