The Second Born

23 years ago, Matthew Magnus Lundeen ushered forth into the world. He wasn’t exactly on time and was reluctant to come out. He’s been more punctual since. 

My wife probably has a plethora of gems written down about the many little comments he made and stunts he pulled. But I don’t have that in front of me, so I’ll just go with the flow. Bits and pieces.

I could go into the many things he did when he was tiny, like at age 2, he hoisted a steak burrito from El Faro in one hand and started chomping on it. Or the months he paraded around the house in nothing but a diaper, holding a Batman plush doll and an empty gallon milk jug. Or his steadfast refusal to ever eat applesauce. But I’ll go current:

*He speaks Japanese to a degree, but he insists he isn’t fluent.

*When it comes to the most complicated Japanese names in anime, he rattles them off as easy as we might say John Smith. 

*He’s always furiously writing, whether it’s reviews or fiction.

*He’s good in escape rooms.

*He’s a quick wit and funny, but humility prevents me saying who he got it from.

*He remembers the most obscure things we did from years and years earlier.

*He has good, honorable, loyal, solid friendships that have lasted years. 

*He’s graduating college as a member of the Honor Society.

*He’s a kind person. A good person. 

I can’t ask for more than that. Lin and I are both very proud of him. 

Happy birthday, bud!