As some of ya’ll know, I’ve been anticipating my 38th birthday for months now, which happens to be today! Last summer, I began seeing the number 23 everyday on my iPhone. When I would look at the time randomly, I would legit always see times like 6:23, 4:23 and even 12:23 on occasion. Every single day, multiple times a day even, the time just happens to be something :23. I’ve never really been a superstitious guy, but since I was born on the 23rd day of the month and this year is 2023, I knew something magical was | is happening.

My buddies would tease me, joking that 2/23/23 and seeing the number 23 for like 9 months everyday, was nothing special. They knew how cool it was for me though, especially after the nightmare I experienced in 2022. They’ve had my back since the day I stepped into the rooms last month and started my new journey in recovery.

While doing some research on February born babies, I found that we like to be the center of attraction wherever we go and want people to talk about us. I know my close friends reading this and everyone I’ve met throughout my adult life, are laughing and agreeing. I also read that Februarians are extremely lucky and are born with “The Golden Spoon.” I should be dead today and know that my Grandfather Wells | God have been watching over me, protecting me and allowing me to learn from my mistakes, rather than becoming another statistic.

I also found that people born in February are Artists, Photographers, Creative Designers, Entrepreneurs, etc. In fact, many great scientists, Businessmen and musicians are born in the month of February. Seems pretty accurate as I thrive on writing and creating.

I decided to finally put down the booze for good on 1/1/2023, after an unfortunate relapse during the 2022 holiday season. Something inside me felt that this time, it was do or die for me. I knew for the first time during my drinking career, that I would never achieve the happiness and success I’ve craved since I was in college, if I continued to put poison into by body. I would probably end up in jail, back in rehab or dead if I tried to “moderate” my drinking again.

I want to apologize to everyone I met last year during my Denver bar-hopping tour. The things I said to ya’ll, how I treated ya’ll and my overall demeanor at my favorite bars was awful and way out of character for me. I still have so much guilt and remorse for the damage I caused with my words, something I hope will continue to fade away as I work through the twelve steps with my sponsor.

Tyler, I know you may never speak to me again, which I completely understand, but I have to at least tell you know how much I’m truly sorry for last year. You we’re just trying to be a good friend to me, but I couldn’t accept that it wasn’t in a romantic way. If I could go back and change 2021-2022 with you, I would. I still think about you often and you’re still in some of the dreams I have. It doesn’t help that we’re neighbors to each other, ha, but I’m doing just dandy and wish you could see the man I am today.

Now, I don’t want to be all sappy and bore ya’ll with apologies and stories on this article (that’s for my book), but Brooke, Stacy, Erika, Julie, Kim, DeAnn, Sarah, Trevor and Ustyna; you all mean so much to me and I shouldn’t have taken our friendships for granted. Some of you I’ve known for 30 years and it kills me inside that I would treat my best girls like that. I never meant to hurt you and also hope you could see the man I am today, one day. I’ll always love each and every one of you and wish nothing but the best.

As I get to spend my birthday with my family this year, I’m ecstatic and extremely grateful I’m showing up sober for John Ryder and Addison. Those knuckleheads are my entire world. As I feel that the “having children ship” has sailed for me, I’m going to spoil the hell out of them and love JR | Addy wildly until the day I die. Having my sister here, who has always been my best friend throughout the good times and bad, makes me feel like everything is just as it should be on this birthday of mine. My wonderful new job helping the Denver community, an apartment with mountain views in my living room and feeling happier | healthier than ever, is truly a gift. It’s legit the best birthday gift I could ever receive. I feel peace and serenity, I’m where I belong.

February 23rd, 2023 | #thenewmj