Badder Jadd

02 / Know

Know the Story

Mom understood that one night might not mean one night.

I brought Mike home late in high school and asked Mom if he could stay the night. She understood immediately that the question might be open-ended, made sure he had what he needed and welcomed him into the family.

Family first, by choice—not birth.

How Mike became family

I met Mike—Bad Jadd—late in high school. One night I brought him home while Mom was making dinner and asked if he could stay. She read the room immediately. She understood that ‘the night’ might be open-ended, made room without demanding an explanation and checked that he had everything he needed. Motherhood kicked in—and so did we.

After high school Mike joined the Army. Contact could be thin while he was away, but he always came home. Once, after an overseas deployment, he called to say he had just reached Whittier and was getting a room at the Motel 6. I drove the few blocks, found him in fatigues with his jump bag, threw the bag in my trunk and told him to get in. He was not staying in a motel with family nearby.

That was the last time distance raised any question between us. Life has hit us both with obstacles and ordinary crap, but knowing he is there for me—and I am there for him—has helped us through it. Whenever we meet, the old stories return and soon our faces hurt from laughing. The family joke is that Mike eventually overtook me as Mom’s favorite.

Thirty-five years later, he still shows up. Mike became family because we chose each other and kept choosing each other. That truth belongs to brothers, sisters and anyone who has found family beyond blood: the person who makes room, comes home, stands beside you and keeps showing up.

03 / Feel

Feel the Soul

What I want you to feel

I want you to feel the security of knowing someone is there for you—and that you are there for them—when life gets difficult. That kind of bond can carry brothers, sisters and chosen-family friends through more than either person could manage alone.