Dear Torey

Dear Torey,

I'm writing to you on the day that would have been your 30th birthday. Writing this brings tears to my eyes since you cannot be here. You were my best friend, and my life will never be the same without you. I miss you more than words can express.

I often think of how today's events would affect you. The Titans are incredibly 8-0. Every week when they play I point to the sky and know that you are there watching the game with me. I wish so much that you could be here with me celebrating this amazing season. There's still a long way to go, but so far this season has been mind boggling.

I wish you could have been around to see Vince Young lead the Horns to the national championship. I told all your friends how psyched you would have been when the Titans drafted VY. Although he isn't our starter now, he has produced some magical plays for the Titans over the years which you would have loved.

Your son is so similar to you it's scary. Yeah, he spends a lot of time doing his hair. Same thing you did around that age. He is a beautiful kid, and he's got your temper too. Every time I think about him I wish I lived closer to him so that I can be a part of his life like I know you would want me to be. I will move back to Colorado at some point and be a bigger part of his life. For now I try to keep in touch as best as I can and be there when he needs me. I can't wait for the day when I can take him to his first Titans game. I have a son of my own now. I sometimes think about how awesome it would be to be hanging out with you and both of our kids. That would be the most amazing thing I could experience, but I know it won't happen.

Tally is doing great, and I hope you know that I am caring for her as if she is my own. Terra has had to learn that she can't be my top dog by herself anymore. She has to share that with Tally. I truly think that Tally is happy. She loved you so much, and it pains me to see her without you. Remember that one time we talked? I mentioned to you that if anything ever happened to me I wanted you to take care of Terra for me. You said the same thing to me about Tally. I know you meant it because you said the same thing to Dani. I do everything in my power to give Tally a good life. You would probably kick my ass because she is on the heavy side, but she can't do much anymore on the leg that she broke following you off the cliff that day. She is such a sweet girl and I love her with all of my heart. Terra is 14 now and obviously won't be with me forever. When she is gone I plan on showering Tally with all the love I have inside of me and letting her spend the rest of her life as someone's top dog once again. Mine. I can't believe that I have had Tally now longer than you did. I hope you can see that I am doing my best to fulfill my promise to you.

Torey, I miss you so much. I'm sitting in my office crying right now while I type this. You were an incredible brother and my best friend. No one knows what happens after death, but I feel strongly that I will share eternity with you. The bond that we had was like no other, and death cannot defeat that.

Love always,

Todd