Today, all over the world, we celebrate our love for an incredible man.  

With courage and confidence Wes lived fully experiencing life and culture across the entire planet.  He was generous to everyone around him making time to genuinely connect and to share an engaging moment together.  He was truly a man of love and passion and will be dearly missed by many people over every continent.

My claim to fame in Wes’ life is that I was there for his birth, that I am his very first friend.  Our mothers were like sisters, and just 38 days after I arrived into this world my mother and I were back in the hospital greeting Wes into it!

We became brothers immediately, and he taught me something that I will cherish forever – I learned what it means to have a best friend.  

Our relationship began before we even spoke, crawling around  together and forming neurological bonds that only brothers could know.   Wes is imprinted into my being, and he will always have a place in my heart that is difficult to put words to.  

Wes has been amazing at bringing people together, making people feel welcome and part of the show.  Even in his passing I am finding immense gratitude for the reconnections with loved ones that has transpired as we mournfully honor and share our love for his life, our appreciation for his friendship.

As children we supported each other, defended each other, and created together.  For years we were inseparable and even as we grew into adolescents our connection was unbreakable. He made me laugh like nobody else, and together we formed memories that will never be forgotten.

As grown men we have shared brief moments together across three continents while we independently explored the planet learning different ways from far off cultures.  I always envisioned us reuniting to share our stories and newfound wisdom together, I never expected such a short story for our relationship and there is a heaviness in heart for dreams that won’t come true, but, Wes, you will be in my heart for the rest of my days always grateful for you setting the bar so high on what it means to have a best friend.

I love you, brother. Rest in joy.

~DJ