Dude, I have had a very hard time writing this over the last week and a bit. Too many memories to sift through and with me being a little emotionally stunted, the processing has been slow going. However I think that I am ready to write this. We will see how it goes.

Growing up at Mount Blow was as I'm sure you can agree, the very best. Reading posts of the things you used to get up to as a kid sound just like what Justin and I used to do. From running around the hayloft, to getting pulled behind a Ski-Doo on sleds through the back fields. The farm will always hold a special place in our hearts and I know we both loved showing Colt around our old stomping grounds when we got the chance.

My earliest memories of you are a little all over the place, but the first big one was when we went to Whistler for the first time for Uncle Dave's wedding. My uncle who lived in a van down by the water. I just have memories from that trip of laughing with you and I think we both bonded when Justin puked all over me and the back of your van/home when we were driving to the airport.

And then there was the time that you and Aunt Heather took all the cousins to a Sens game. I'm still not sure how you two pulled that off, the five of us are a handful at church on Sunday let alone in a setting like that. But somehow the two of you kept us in check and we all had a blast. It was definitely a sign of the amazing parents you two would become.

We came back out to BC in 2009 for another trip filled with memories. I remember boogey boarding in the freezing cold waves of Tofino on a cloudy day with you. I'm pretty sure you were the first one in. After that we were off to Whistler for mine and J's first time in the bike park. Justin was stoked, I was scared, and obviously I was the one to crash hard. We talked about it the other day, you walked my bike down and I rode yours out. Was still one of the best days ever. After that you fell asleep in the hotel room, and your wife made me pick your nose. It is a miracle you could fall asleep with all that sun reflecting off your thighs.

That trip led me to fall in love even more with BC and Whistler and I always knew I wanted to come back (and once Colt came along it was a done deal) You and Aunt Heather took me in for a summer when I came out west during University. You gave me a roof over my head, food to eat, and so much love that it felt like I was home. That summer is when I really got to experience firsthand the love you have Colt, and all the adventures we would get up to. I have so many memories from that summer of running around the village with you and the little man dressed up as Scooby Doo or a dinosaur. He is just as much a character as you are.

You two took me in again a few years later, probably only because I was Heather's sherpa and you got to play extra golf when I took Colt to school. You helped me get my first pair of skis in Whistler with the "Al Paul is my uncle" connection. A case of beer and a few bucks and I was ready for the mountain. You promptly ditched me with Ali and Jenna on Opening Day. There is no such thing as friends or nephews on a Pow day. You did ski with me a few times that year, and they were great. Family ski days were some of the best days I had on the mountain.

I will always cherish the time I got to spend with you and your family, going biking or golfing, or going to Meadow Park with the little man to swim, or going to movies with Colt that you and I probably enjoyed more than he did.

The thing I think that really brought us together was golf. With you I was lucky enough to play all the fancy courses in Whistler. You taught me a lot about golf and life on the course, helped correct my swing, gave me pointers whether I wanted them or not. This past summer we played a round at the Whistler Club and I used your clubs. I hadn't played since the last time we went out a few years ago, and I don't know if it was your clubs or just dum luck, but I was on fire. I was having the round of my life. I always loved when I would get ahold of a drive, and pipe one down the fairway. You would sit there and just shake your head and chuckle and it made me feel great. We were on the 18th green, and I had a birdie putt to shoot an 89 (!!!). In true Al Paul fashion, as I'm about to step over it, you say something along the lines of "dont miss this one" annnnnnd I did. I left it short. And as soon as that happened I knew what you were going to say (which is the only time anyone ever knows what you're going to say) SALLLLLLLLLY. For the rest of my life, whenever I leave a putt short, I'm going to hear your voice saying that.

I can't thank you enough for everything you have taught me and done for me over the years. You have shown me so much about what it is to be an amazing father, husband, uncle and human being. Colt is already a not so mini you, and I can't wait to see the man that he becomes. I'll miss sitting on the couch watching sports with you, and eating way too much Samurai Sushi. But most of all I'll miss the laughs, your smile, and watching you Colt and Heather and all the love you three have.

Love you always Uncle Al