Ode to Boy Chris aka "What's up Fatty McFatFat!"

Boy and Girl, still rockin' into the wee hours after Chris' wedding.

Are you sick of me talking all about me? Yeah, so am I. So today we're switching it up and putting the spotlight on Boy Chris. It's his 30th birthday, so it feels appropriate. Want me to do a little E! True Hollyword Story about you on your birthday? Great, because I think I'm going to start that.

So, back in the fall of 1996 I set off for school in Tacoma, WA and randomly decided I was going to be known as "Chris" while there. I wasn't going to demand my family and pre-UPS friends change it up, but I was reinventing myself I guess. My new dormmates and I are walking past a group of fellow orientation participants when this loud guy shouts out:

"Hi! Hey, what's your name?"
After figuring out he was addressing me and my group of friends..."Hi, I'm Chris."
"My name is Chris, too. Great name! Come sit down."

And we were off! Within a few moments we had figured out we were both from California, enjoyed the creative genius of Adam Sandler and were incurable smart asses. We were inseparable and became known as "Boy Chris" and "Girl Chris" for the next...well, forever I guess. We still call each other by these nicknames. If we are around my family he will call me "Christen" and I flinch. It's weird.

Chris ate corndogs every day of our freshman year and never gained weight. Part of me wanted to hurt him, but I have to admit I was envious.

Chris is color-blind and didn't believe me when I told him he bought a green area rug for his dorm room. He thought it was gray.

Chris held my hair back the first time I threw up after drinking too much and was so nice about it. (Anyone who has known me for more than 20 seconds knows I cannot handle anything vomit-related, so imagine that scene in Michelle's bathroom.) He acted like it was completely normal, and his slightly-less-drunk version of the story is hilarious.

Chris is a Dodger fan. I am a Giants fan. We try not to discuss this much.

Chris once had a guy who hurt me thrown out of one of his frat parties because I couldn't stand the sight of him. He also made sure the jackass was "blacklisted" to spare me the horror of having to deal with it again.

Chris' bachelor party in Las Vegas. That's all I will say.

Chris has never looked happier or more content with life than on his wedding day to the lovely Katie. They have been together for over 8 years and when he talks about her today he still sounds like someone in those early shmoopy stages of love.

Aren't they cute? Hi Katie! She is a brilliant veterinarian. I love her.

Chris called or emailed me daily when I was going through a rough patch in early June. He immediately offered up the guest room and poolside daiquiris as a place for me to recuperate among friends. The kindness of this offer made me cry all over again. In the wake of feeling so hurt and smacked down by life, he and Katie reminded me that there is so much good in people and I am so lucky to have them in my life.

Happy Birthday, Boy Chris! Try not to party like it's 1996. We were so obnoxious then.