Mike was my first love, we stayed together 19 years.   Although we broke up we remained friends and Coparents   He was amazing and even recently we talked about why we never had the right timing together. He made me laugh like no one could. Took me on adventures taught me to love and be a better mother to Brenda.  

We never stopped loving each other and had a relationship no one  could understand. He gave me my greatest gift my daughter Brenda even though I would tell him I gave him his greatest gift, Brenda.  He even because Uncle Mike to my son and included him. 

My heart is broken, and it’s so hard to write this but I will continue to see him in Brenda always. He was the best father ever and I couldn’t have asked for a better for Brenda  

Love always Micheal, see you on the other side. 

Brenda and I met in 2011. But I didn't get the opportunity to come out west from Iowa to meet her father until January 2013. Brenda and I were in Vegas for a business conference and Mike simply hopped on a flight down to meet up with us. Brenda has always talked about Mike, and I was really excited AND nervous to meet him. The stories of his epic camping excursions and unrivaled party tricks involving flips off boats left me in awe of the man I had yet to meet. We were waiting inside his hotel lobby, the Mirage, for him to come down to meet us. I knew he was short...as obviously Brenda isn't exactly tall. But little did I know that the shortest man in the world would cast the biggest shadow in the most positive fashion.

After they locked eyes and hugged for what seemed like hours, the two shortest "Brenmarks" detached themselves from one another. It was at this time that I would meet the man, the myth, and the legend for the first time.

I leaned in for a handshake, and he met me with what can only be described as the coolest man-shake on the planet, which I ultimately failed at and bent my 6'1" frame down to give him the most awkward hug known to mankind. The three of us stood there for maybe 5 or 6 minutes before the two smaller people turned away from me and walked right out onto the strip and headed on their much-anticipated adventure. (I figured we'd have lunch or coffee first,  but man, was I wrong.)

After walking down the strip for no more than 10 minutes, Brenda and Mike gravitated to an outdoor kiosk, where mere moments later Brenda informed me we were taking a cab to the airport to take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.

I continued following the two of them down the strip towards a taxi-cab pickup area. She and her dad are in lock-step with each other as if they planned to wake up and get on a helicopter. (I am not a fan of flying... and had never been in a helicopter. Or to Vegas, or the Grand Canyon. So I was 80% terrified and 20% thrilled.)

At the time, I may have thought I was simply hanging back to try to find my bearings, so to speak. But looking back, my most vivid memories from this day were seeing the two of them in complete sync with each other. Smiles from ear-to-ear, and laughter echoing from what I thought were the two smallest full-sized adults on the planet. These two shorties have HUGE HEARTS for one another.

The helicopter trip was incredible. Mike was constantly pointing out things with Brenda, and I sat quietly and enjoyed their commentary. Sure, he was her dad. But what I saw for the first time with my eyes was that my future wife's best friend was in fact her dad.

The next few nights we spent with her dad in Vegas were filled with laughter, stories, and jokes many at my own expense, which are the BEST jokes considering the company I was keeping. I felt honored to be roasted by the two of them. They were naturals. 

When our trip came to an end and Brenda had to say goodbye to her father, the love so easily viewed by everyone was confirmed. The two embraced again knowing it could be a while before they were together next. Not just cut from the same cloth, but made from the same gold of humanity. Brenda and Mike love like no one else. They care like no one else. And damn if they aren't the life of the party, too. 

Mike. You may be small in stature, but you will always be larger than life to me. I promise to continue to love your daughter. To make her happy, and show her that life can be kind and fun especially when you surround yourself with kind and fun people. When I asked you for her hand in marriage 10 years ago, I told you I would take care of her for the rest of my life. I meant it then, and I mean it more than ever now. You just go and enjoy your much-needed camping trip in the sky. 

You are so loved. Always and forever.

Mike and I met while working at Sears. We spent so many years together having great adventures.

He was my best friend, partner, and my heart.