I met one of the most amazing people I know 22 years ago. The moment I shook his hand I knew my world would be forever different. Im here to tell you about him and share a little #BlackMenLove.

Hes a Missourian and like me, raised in St. Louis. Over the time Ive gotten to know him, Ive grown to love him tremendously. Its interesting because just as he has encouraged my growth, perhaps unknowingly, for 22 years, hes grown tremendously himself. Im so proud to say that I know him. In many ways, I look up to him and wish I could be more like him. Hands down hes one of the most hilarious people I know. I can think of several instances over these years that hes made me laugh until I had tears in my eyes.

Hes faced and overcame much diversity to become the man he is today, and seeing that motivates me to be better everyday. He comes from a broken home like me (his father having divorced his mother when he was a teen), but not broken love. Hes always been someone who was able to set goals for himself and chase after them until he succeeded in achieving them, and continues to do that to this day.

One of the things I love most about him is the way he treats his mother. He makes her laugh, helps her, is always there for her, and most importantly, makes her proud. Hes a shining example of how a man should not only treat his mother, but other women in his life.

He by no means has gotten life perfect. But lets be honest, who has? I know I havent. I can, however, say that he always comes back for more. He fights everyday to get to where he desires to be, and I so look up to him because of that.

The man Im talking about is my little brother. Today he turns 22 years old.