Josh and I
So the summer before third grade I met Josh Kaiser. We were in Children’s Chapel at Maranatha and somehow we, a third grader and a fifth grader, started talking about Pokémon Yellow. He told me I could preorder it (which was a foreign idea to me at the time) so I could get it the day it came out (for which I am still grateful).
Fast forward a few years and we became stereotypical best friends. During the summers we were inseparable (unless we were working or he was on a run). We slept over at each other’s houses and two summers we even lived together in my family’s empty mobile home. We encouraged each other to pursue girls (as high school boys do). We got into mischief: at one point we bought pineapples and played baseball with them and a machete. But most of all we perpetuated each other deeper into Our Father. The talks and revelations we had are priceless to me.
He was my physical rock when I started getting into trouble in high school too, always encouraging me to take the path of life. At one point, he even provided a refuge from Muskegon for a few days, where he could keep an eye on me and make sure I was ok. He is truly a Man of God.
As high school ended for me, Josh was starting a new chapter in his life. He found a wonderful woman of God and they got married this past summer. We aren’t as close as we have been, but such is life and the path that God takes us. Insha'Allah we will have an opportunity to be that close again. I am extremely happy for him and wish him well in all that he and Our Father do.
I love you man.
