Growing up with my brother, Chad, was a great adventure. He would push the limits on activities, make anyone smile with his goofy humor or be a shoulder to cry on. He had a heart of gold and would make lasting memories with anyone he met.

My parents would joke that on holidays the first thing we needed to do was find out where the nearest hospital was. There was always a good chance we would be spending time there due to Chad’s love of exploration and how “clumsy” he was.

As we grew older, Chad was my biggest fan. Being 8 years apart, he was my support system, a true “big brother” (especially being 6’4”) and was always there to make me smile or calm my nerves during uncertain times. In 2017 my husband, Chris, and I took a risk and decided to open our own business, Devil’s Head Coffee Roasters Ltd. Chad and his wife Pam were always there for us to test ideas with; problem solve and were interested and supportive in our new venture, even though he did not like coffee.

When Chad shared his ALS diagnosis to us, it was a shock. I still remember the day sitting on my couch in 2018 and listening to the news while holding my young son. Chad was strong, but I could see he was still processing the news himself. But in typical Chad fashion he made us smile, laugh, and promise to live life to the fullest with him. We agreed to be adventurous, make every moment count and spend as much time together as we could. We made lasting memories that I will always remember. Chad will continue to inspire me throughout my life to always find the joy, even during difficult times.