How to give a gift to the person who gave you everything

It’s time to figure out what to give my good friend Michael for his birthday.

We’re not talking just any birthday? It’s The Big 5-0.

And Michael is not just any friend.

He is one half of the couple who gave me one of the best gifts of my entire life. Two years ago, they introduced me to the man I now call my husband.

Michael saw the potential long before I ever did.

He saw my now husband walking across a grassy field coming our way at a summer festival in our town.

“Incoming! Incoming!” he yelled as he punched my right arm.

“Single! Single! Incoming!”

Michael had recognized the man I now refer to as “Mr. SummerFest” as a single dad whose daughter was in the same grade as his son at the local elementary school.

He invited him to come over made the introduction.

After a brief 10-minute exchange with a loud band blaring in the background, we headed one way, Mr. SummerFest and his daughter headed the other.

And that would’ve been the entire story, which admittedly, is not much of a story, if I were left to my own chronically single girl devices.

“Well, what did you think of him?” Michael pressed me.

“Hmmm,” I replied.

“Hmmm? “ Michael was intrigued. “That’s the most enthusiastic response about a guy I’ve heard from you in years!”

That was the only encouragement Michael needed to take matters into his own hands, looking up Mr. SummerFest’s email on the parent PTA contact list and reaching out to inquire if he might be interested in following up with a certain someone.

So here we are two years later. Michael just stood by our side at our wedding.

Now it’s his turn. How to say thank you? How to celebrate him?

Surely, you understand the challenge. You have that friend for whom you want - no, need - to find the perfect gift?

It’s kind of like how do you say, “thank you” to someone for giving you their kidney? Thank you for my new life, which is better than I could’ve ever imagined.

Michael loves nice clothes, travel, good food. While a million bucks would’ve been nice, stuff honestly wasn’t going to cut it.

I came to realize I’m not the only one in Michael’s life with this gift challenge on his big birthday.

With the help of his husband, Craig, queries went out a couple weeks ago across the land. The request was pretty simple. Please answer the question, “Why I love Michael?”

The response has been great.

His friend, Denise, got the poetry bug, penning the following:

“For 30 years he’s been my friend

Our meeting by happenstance

So many things I’ve learned from him

Always laugh, and love, and dance.”

His younger brother Tony wrote, “I have always looked up to you. You are one of my heroes. You are one of the most remarkable and courageous men that I know.”

His 13-year-old son wrote, “ I love how he helps me with my math, even when I argue, and sticks with me all the way not matter what.”

As soon as I wrap up this column, I’ll get out the glue and scrapbook supplies bought, appropriately at “Michael’s”, and assemble them all together. There are 70 pages of love, funny old photos, and memories to find a place for.

I’ll wrap it up and give it to him Saturday on the big day.

I finally figured out that the best gift you can give that special friend, is the gift you enjoy every day. Just give your friend the amazing person you see which they may not when they look in the mirror. In my case, the gift is Michael.

Happy Birthday, My Friend!

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