I’m gonna say a few words about my older brother because I’m extremely grateful and proud of him. This is him and his amazing family. 1/

I get that few will know him but his story and life has always been a huge influence in my life.

TJ had a rough life growing up. He was raised by my father who was not his own biological father. That was difficult and as a teen he struggled with drugs and friends.

He spent his time from 17-26 pretty much high and in an addicted and miserable state. Nothing he didn’t try or do when it came to prescription or street drugs. We constantly feared he would live a short life.

I never had much of a relationship at all with him at this point because it was impossible. Our family was concerned he’d never stop partying to settle down. I won’t give greater detail but he was as low as anybody I’ve ever known.

At one point my dad and I were at his bedside while he laid in his bed sick as a dog from withdrawals trying to detox. I’d never seen somebody so miserable as he was at that point. TJ turned to my dad and said he was “too bad” of a person. That he was irredeemable.

My dad of course corrected him with love. I was young so I didn’t fully understand besides the fact that I was scared for my brother.

When TJ was about 26 he got offered an incredible opportunity to help start a car dealership with a local businessman. He pretty much started the first week he was sober.

Since this point TJ was able to help build that business to be successful and subsequently built his own business into an incredible dealership. TJ has earned every damn thing he’s ever gotten. I truly know nobody who works harder.

I also don’t know anybody who has the confidence and ability to fight adversity better than him. Countless times I’ve seen him directly in the face of adversity and never complain but rather go to work and get shit done. I admire him so much for this. It’s helped me so much.

TJ is who I’ve looked up to for so many things. He’s the most loyal person I know. He’s also the most charitable person I know. So many of my likes and interests come from his influence.

All this is to say how much I love and appreciate my brother and that the post that I shared to start with is nothing but a miracle. He has overcome so much and I’m so happy to see him love a family of his own. He deserves every bit of it.