Lanny, I love getting to see the world through your eyes.
With you, I get the whole scene. Who said what, the expression on their face, what you were thinking, and the important detail you remembered halfway through. A small thing becomes a full report, complete with your commentary. Even your dreams sometimes come with updates for me.
What I love is how much you want to share. Something makes you laugh, or you find something beautiful, and you want me to see it too. I’m glad I get to be someone you tell. I’m glad you trust me with the harder days, too.
I also notice how much thought you give to people. How you wonder what they’re feeling, try to understand, and care about getting things right. I hope you feel that same patience and care coming back to you.
For your birthday, I wish you more reasons to laugh until your messages turn into capital letters, peaceful nights, and people who are happy to hear the whole story. I hope there are plenty of little things you can’t wait to tell me about.
You once said that being my chelli was the best gift you could give me.
I think you were right.
Happy birthday, Lanny. I’m very glad I get to be your annaya.
With lots of love,
Vishnu