2 years ago, I met the biggest asshole of my life. The kid was cocky, arrogant, and he thought he had the biggest dick on the block (ha). On a beach trip, he ended up swooping in on my date, laying down some thick game and taking away any chance I had at even the slightest kiss. For that, I dubbed him a dousch bag asshole and told myself he wasn’t worth my time.
Fast forward to about 3 months later during I-week, when we’re going through some pretty tough rites of passage. The beginning of the week, I still didn’t like him. The kid was outspoken and thought he was everyone’s friend. By Tuesday night, we were laughing together about the shit we had to go through. By Thursday, we were inseparable.
Since then, we’ve accomplished a lot together. We were on exec for our fraternity together, we went on trips together, we performed for sorority competitions together, we both were voted onto Interfraternity Council and, most of all, we’ve become best friends in the process.
Things haven’t always been great. After some tough personal times with our Fraternity, I felt like a pretty useless President, so I distanced myself from anything Theta Chi, including my friends. For that, I apologize more than words can express. Fortunately, I ran into him before I left for Spain and got to explain why I acted the way I did, but it didn’t make up for the lost time by any means.
It was only 2 days ago that I found out my Best Friend Matt was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer (http://www.burkitts.org). As Americans, we’re subjected to TV shows and movies that depict scenarios like this… where a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, but no amount of acting on-screen can describe the feeling when I found out. In the middle of work, my jaw dropped, my heart sank and I sat there not even breathing.
Matt has been there for me during my rough times. When I had to put up with some of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met or deal with shitheads in the Greek Life Office, he was there to calm me down and talk me through things. He was there to help me with relationships and to take care of me when I didn’t know my drinking limit. I hate that I can’t be there for Matt during his rough time, but I want him to know that I’m thinking of and praying for him.
Matt, you’re a strong guy, definitely stronger-willed than I am. In the past 3 years, I have come to not only consider you as a close friend but as a true brother. If there is anyone I know that could make it through this, I know it’s you. You and I still have a business to open, and Rick and I have to take you on another Caplan Brother Adventure, so you don’t really have any option but to get better soon. I’ll see you real soon.
I love you, buddy.
El Mundo del Cappytan 