Kyle and I both love popcorn. But I always used to judge him for keeping leftover movie theater popcorn for DAYS after going to see a movie. He would put it on the counter or in the microwave and cover it with a little napkin. 

I'm a little bit of a germaphobe and always thought it was so so gross. I can remember more than one game night when he would offer us popcorn, only to pull out his day old movie theater tub.

But lately...I've been eating leftover movie theater popcorn, something I never thought I would do. And it always reminds me of Kyle. Sometimes it makes me cry and miss him (as I sit there stuffing my face with popcorn). Sometimes it makes me smile and feel happy to have this small connection to my friend. 

But it is ALWAYS a reminder of him. 

And I wish he could see me - the person who used to tease and judge him for keeping his leftovers - that I now enjoy stale move theater popcorn too.

Kip really REALLY liked giving gifts.

He always remembered my birthday, and would remember comments in passing from months before. He was so generous. On birthdays, it was almost as if it was a relief for him to finally have a reason to give his friends gifts.

On his birthday this year, I'm celebrating this great guy. And I'm going to remember how important it is to be generous, and how worthwhile it is to make others happy.

I remember Kyle (as he was at that time) coming to our front door to visit my daughter Lily. Lily was shy in school and slow to make friends. Kyle brought out the best in Lily and seeing their friendship grow was one of the best things a mother could see. I loved seeing them be silly together, Harry Potter'ing together sharing a deep friendship during some tumultuous growing up years. I always called him my other son and loved it when he was joining our family get-togethers. I loved meeting 'Kip' in later years when he came home after various trips home. He seemed truly at ease with himself. I admired that.

Loretta and Mike I cannot imagine what you must be going through. I am truly sorry you and your family have to go through this. Please take some solace in knowing you raised an amazing son. He is truly missed

Kip loved hugs.

One of the best things that Kip taught me, one long night after talking about music, was that you're supposed to hug "until your hearts touch". That has followed me through many years. Both Kip and I have had days when our hearts felt smothered, buried far back in our chests. But at the end of the day, we said goodbye, we told each other we loved each other, and we hugged. Sometimes for ten seconds, sometimes for several minutes. We never tried to hide what we went through.

A good hug lasts until your hearts touch.

I'm going to miss those hugs. Kip got much stronger these last few years!

You ever meet someone and just know that you're going to be friends? We worked together at TradeSmart, and I had just bought a large bag of grapes. Kip was sitting out front, also on his lunch, and I plopped down right next to him.

I never expected to be such good friends with this guy, but we just kept talking, and eventually it became a lunchtime routine to hang out together. After the store closed down, Kip and I stayed in touch, because we believed in each other's dreams, and we could talk to each other about anything.