Braden Hickey

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday my best friend. I wish I was able to celebrate with you. When I arrive in Spain, I'll buy you a drink, since it will be legal for me.

It's crazy to think that this is really only the second birthday I've celebrated with you. I am very very happy that I get to have you in my life. You have impacted me more than you know.

Awhile ago someone asked me if I could look back on my life and see what God was doing in order to prepare me for where I am right now. One major thing that stuck out was you. God has used you to help shape and guide me into who He wants me to be.

You give me tough love when I need it. You're not afraid to call me out on something. You know me so well, none of my tricks work on you. You have made me realize that everything is a choice, and it's important to stop and think things through. I'm not afraid to tell you my hopes and dreams because you have always backed me. You believe in me.

Trips to Chicago are almost routine with us (crazies always included). I love the fact that we can be in Canada, look at each other, and decide it's time to drive 12 hours home at 6pm.  Crowd surfing? Who was right by my side... I love adventuring with you.

I KNOW I'm not the only one who loves you and is impacted by you. In fact, there's proof below...


Darien
I love Braden, because she is one of the funniest people I have ever met. I also love her for taking me under her wing during my freshman year of high school, and for introducing me to Los Potrillos!;) thanks for being a great friend Bray!:) love you and hope your trip has been awesome!:)

Chloe
okay: Braden, I love you  because you are awesome in so many ways. First, you are hilarious and never cease to crack me up. Second, you are kind. Third,  you are really wise and love Jesus. Fourth, you and I have experienced some pretty great moments together #tammygetsamilkshake #imisscrystal … I love you a lot and you have so many great qualities.  I hope you have a great birthday!!! live it UP

Alisha
I love Braden because of so many things.. She is hilariously awkward (which is a good thing, I promise) and always makes a boring situation better. She has the hook-up at starplex for popcorn (what's not to love about that?!) and she enjoys the same guilty pleasures as I do (Moe's queso & One Tree Hill). She volunteers to take pictures for me even when I wake her up and knock down her curtains because I'm climbing out her window. Overall, she is just one of the best people to experience life's little pleasures and funny moments with because she makes them 10x more enjoyable. I feel like the fact that she was a kind of an unwanted roommate at the beginning has made us even closer  She loves Jesus and always knows how to encourage her friends, which is so inspiring. I cannot believe that we have only been friends for under a year.. She's one of those friends that I feel like I've known forever. And as another part of your birthday gift - I promise to experience EPG at it's fullest not because I feel like I have to, but because I want to.  I LOVE YOU BRA!

Moli
I love Braden because I can't think of one high school memory that doesn't involve her. she's the smartest & funniest person I've ever met. she's spontaneous & adventurous. There is never a dull moment when she's around. she's the best.

Mattie
There are many reasons to love Braden, but I especially love her because she is her. Which is hilarious, caring, genuine, thoughtful, spontaneous, and just a fun person to be around.

Hayley
What makes Braden one of the most valuable friends I have? There are many reasons. 1. Her dedication to our friendship. 2. Her ability to make me die laughing by just one look. 3. Her knowledge 4. Her boldness in her faith! 5. Her hospitality 6. The fact that she will discover the cure for cancer!! (Just to name a few) I think, most of all, I admire how Braden has no rules or requirement for one to be her friend. She accepts us for who we are and encourages and sometimes shoves us to be more like Jesus. She is one of my many inspirations to keep enduring through trials and reminds me to drop the world and sprint to The Lord. Thanks for being a part of my life, Bray! Here's to 21 years of the life of Braden!! Cheers!

Jenna
Hey bray!!! I hope you're having an awesome time! I can't wait to be reunited again and watch Harry potter, LOTR, the office, play just dance, go to Los po, get coke Slushies, and all of the other random but great things that we do! I wish that I could be with you on your birthday and take you to Los po so you would have to awkwardly wear that hat and having primivero sing to you! But since that can not happen I just want to wish you an incredible birthday and I want you to know that I love you and I'm praying for you and I can't wait to see you! Love ya bray!

Lindsey
Hey Braden!

Happy Birthday to you! I hope your day is a great one! Wanted to let you know that you are one fantastic person. Your awkward humor always brightened my day at 119  You've impacted my life in many ways... I now make whole wheat tortillas a lot.... I recycle.... I'm more conscious of my appendix rupturing.. All good things!  I love your heart for God and your heart for others. God will use you in big ways! So excited to see where He takes you. Thanks for being my friend! Love you bunches!

Faith
I like/love Braden because:
B. She's Brainy and hates that everyone reminds her that she is, which shows how humble she is & how she realizes that it's a just gift from the Lord.
R. She's Radical for Jesus. Seriously. She makes the truth simple and isn't swayed because she's standing on the Rock! [i.e. Jehovah's witnesses and high school girls that want to get married]
A. She's Adventurous. I don't want to be cliche, but let's be real. She goes on spur-of-the-moment trips to Canada, moves in with 4 girls she doesn't know, and rides camels in Africa.
D. She's Daffy. Alright, i goggled adjectives for D, because i could only think of boring ones. But, it's worth it because i found this gem. Defintion: silly and mildly eccentric. Umm, yes. She seems all nice and quiet, but move in with her and BAM! Out comes hiding the bunny and going vegan for a week and making us all recycle and having one tree hill marathons. What a glorious bam.
E. She's Earthy. Like healthy and nature-y and smile-y, but most of all, down to earth. I loved going back to B & N and seeing how everyone had instantly loved her because she was just herself. She was interested in people, cared about them, and listened to them even if she thought they were nuts-o.
N. She's Not boring. I know that's cheating, but i really wanted to say that she's not boring because she buys me pink BANANAAAAA shirts and makes me laugh, because she sends snapchats from halfway across the world that say things like, "i hear someone  hit a turkey"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  #119love

Heidi 
BRADEN HICKEY!!!

I love and cherish our friendship so much! You always know how to make me smile and how to tell a funny story. You were part of the reason why I would even go to 119:)...and even want to move in there:). I love hearing about your crazy, exuberant adventures...usually with Al..(the awkward guy on the bus is my favorite!) and getting to know you better this past semester. Which I feel like we have known each other for years:). I admire your heart for JESUS and I love your fervent Spirit that you SHINE in Spain or at the Starbucks at Barnes and Noble serving samples in the States. oh and I can't forget to mention how you are more than courageous especially as you do an excellent driving and braving 3000 inch snow on the way "Chicago." I hope you have a spectacular Birthday full of JESUS, celebration, and everything beautiful! You deserve the best! LOVE YOU SO MUCH and I absolutely cant wait to see you around on this American terf:)

Lauren
Braden,
Wow. I can’t even begin to tell you how ridiculously thankful I am to Jesus that I met you. Not only did I meet you and make awkward small talk with you when I saw you the first few times, but I wedged my way into becoming your friend, because you’re just so freakin awesome. I love so many things about you.
1. The moment I decided I wanted to be your friend was when we were in your old apartment and you told me the story about the banana filled muffin. I laughed so hard for whatever reason, and I knew you were a pretty cool chick who I wanted to be my friend.
2. You made me run 3 miles when I’d never done that in my life. You got this fatty up and at it, and now I’m in a trail running class. Never would have thought I’d do that.
3. IMAGINE FREAKIN DRAGONS! When Alison first asked me to go with you two, I was nervous that you wouldn’t want me to come, but you were so welcoming to me from the beginning. I’ve never once been jealous of you and Alison’s friendship, because you’re just SO FREAKING HILARIOUS and I get to call you MY friend, too. (I’m listening to Imagine Dragons while I write this.)
4. You have a heart for traveling. I love your adventurous spirit and willingness to just drop everything and go to Canada for a week and a half. EL OH EL.
5. You love it when I call myself Daddy and attack you in the middle of the night. Okay, maybe I’M the one who loves that, but you easily could have ripped my throat out, and I’m pretty sure you just gave me a threatening lunge.
6. You keep Alison under control. We’re both pretty aware that she is a little crazy, and your tender side keeps her from doing bizarre and most likely socially unacceptable things.
7. You were a part of seeing the crazy man hiding in the dumpster, a good five minutes of screaming, calling the cops, then screaming about how stupid the cop was. Ugh. What a night. Still, easily one of the best nights of my life.
8. Backtracking to earlier that day when we were in the mall, and that little girl came up and hugged you. Meanwhile, that scary man with about a fourth of his teeth telling me I looked familiar, like a star (not Katy Perry, because he didn’t know a Katy Perry), but it was probably just my eyes.
9. You’re so caring and take care of people so well even if you don’t want to. When I first met you, Alison told me that you weren’t a touchy person, so I had to force you to hug me. Last time I was at your apartment, I laid on your lap and you kept patting my back. Maybe you were giving me the “okay, we’re done here” pat, but either way, it was endearing.
10. It is so evident that you love Jesus so much. I have always said that Jesus has given me the most amazing friends in every place I’ve lived. You are one of top friends, Braden. I love you so much. I’m so glad you have trusted God to take you to Spain, and I know He is using you in incredible ways. I hope you have the best birthday EVER, and I can’t wait to see you in 46 DAYS!!!!!!


-Daddy

Braden Hickey we love you. Enjoy your special day.