Happy Birthday Joe!

Not only is today National Star Wars Day, it is also the birthday of my oldest brother Joe!  If you know anything about Joe, it is very clear that he is the oldest in a house of four boys.  When we are all together as a family or need to make a decision among the brothers, Joe always takes the lead role, deciding what we are going to do and when we are going to do it.  As the third, this is fine with me, because I am a roll with the punches type of guy, but for Josh and Isaiah, this can sometimes be difficult. 

Guarantee he's singing "What It's Like" by Everlast

Joe is about five and a half years older than me, which isn't a huge age gap, but he was far enough ahead of me in school (he graduated high school when I was in seventh grade) that our social lives never really intersected.  I think having two older brothers became a huge advantage to me as I went through life experiences that I had seen Joe and Josh go through years before.  Joe has never been one to struggle in a social atmosphere, as he is friendly, outgoing, athletic, and very goal-driven.  There has never been anything that Joe has done that he does not strive to be the very best at.  I have always envied the success that he has had in all walks of life, and really look up to him (there is something about all the brothers that I strive to emulate).
When I was very young, there was nothing that I wanted to do more than to be able to play soccer like Joe.  He was never the biggest or strongest kid on the soccer field, but he always found a way to make his impact on the game felt, whether it was by scoring goals or beating defenders one on one.  In Mississippi, I watched from the sidelines for years with a ball on my feet, practicing moves that he was using against kids his age, knowing that someday I would have the chance to use the same moves.  I watched with glee as his teams won state championships and out-of state tournaments and in agony when they would lose closely contested shootouts that seemed to end at midnight.  Once we got to Maine, I got to watch with pride as Joe was one of only a few underclassmen to get playing time on an undefeated state championship winning team (which had to have been one of the most talented teams ever in Maine).  Due to my love of the sport, the head coach of that team asked me to one of the ball boys for the varsity games.  As a fifth grader, I was on top of the world.  I held the post for the next few years.

Joe's High School Soccer Days

 It was from this vantage point that I got to watch Joe score 27 goals in the season following the state championship, to lead another talented team in scoring.  There was one thing that could be said about Joe, and that was that he lacked no confidence.  He has always thought highly of himself and it reflects not only on the soccer field, but in school, as well as his job now.  I remember one game, they were playing Brunswick, and Joe was facing a defender one on one and someone in the crowd yelled "go by him Joe!" Joe probably could have passed the ball and beat the defender, but always a showman, he nut-megged the defender and basked in the cheers coming from the sideline.

URI Celebrating one of their A-10 championships (Joe is slightly hidden in the back)

He was so good, that he was able to continue his career at the University of Rhode Island, where he played alongside a handful of future MLS players and Geoff Cameron who represented the United States in the previous World Cup.  It was a real pleasure to get the opportunity to watch these games live, as the skill and the atmosphere was unmatched.  At the time, soccer was one of the two biggest sports at URI and it was apparent based on the size of the crowds.  I was so happy to have been able to attend the game in which Joe scored his first (and almost second if not for an offsides call) collegiate goal.  His college career was obviously met with more success, as they won their conference championships three of the four years he was at school.  He takes pride in being one of the "locker room guys" during this stretch.  

How could the ladies resist?

Beyond the soccer field, I admire Joe for being a great brother.  He has always been there with advice and a guiding hand to help me prevent making the same mistakes he did when he was younger.  I remember when I had my first girlfriend, the first question he asked was "does she laugh a lot?"  Now that may seem like a silly question, but there is something so important to finding a girl with a great sense of humor (fortunately, I have found exactly that).  I also envied Joe for his constant success with the ladies.  His confidence seemed to help him in this department as well.  I won't dig in too deep because I don't want to embarrass him, but I always wanted to have whatever mojo Joe had in the girl department.  Unfortunately, I have not met his current girlfriend, but I have heard that she is wonderful and I look forward to meeting her soon!
Joe's swagger even existed when we would play pick-up sports around the house, particularly basketball.  We would play two on two: me and Josh against Isaiah and Joe, and for years, Joe carried their team to the closest games with us.  Isaiah was not super talented at any sport until he got older, so his goal was to not turn the ball over to me and to pass it to Joe, and Joe would do the rest.  Nothing made Josh more angry than playing driveway basketball with Joe.  It lead to many a scuffle in the driveway (or a punted basketball).  When Joe was little, he broke over 30 windows playing baseball in the side yard.  When he was around, he was always trying to get us to play sports (which I loved).  Even though we are growing up fast, he still pushes us to play driveway sports when we are all home (Josh and Isaiah have grown progressively more resistant.) 
It is no wonder that Joe has found success in everything he has put his mind to.  He has come from great stock and has made solid choices to put himself where he is now.  He is currently working in sales of promotional products and like everything he does, he treats it like a competition and wins over his clientele.  We only see each other a couple times a year since he is in DC and I am in Boston, but it is always a pleasure.  He also makes sure to try to call at least once a week to stay updated on my life (something that I am really thankful for).  He is an outstanding brother and I wish him the happiest of birthdays today!

Happy 31st Birthday Joe!!

Until next time!!