21 Reasons Why Joe Is The Best

Seriously, we love you. Happy golden birthday, Joe!

1. Joe Is Awesome

He took us to the lake for a cookout this summer and rented jet-skis for us.

2. Joe Is Always Ready To Have Fun

First photo: Dress-like-your-roommate day. Second: Winter Cotillion.

3. Joe Is Hilariously Wacky

He started a crazy Thanksgiving tradition called "turkeyball."

4. Joe Makes The Coolest Stuff

One year, he gave me a tabletop strategy game called "Battleship," complete with rule book and stat cards. All models in the photo are made entirely out of popsicle sticks and glue, including the piano, wood-burned pipe and a working trebuchet.

5. Joe Is Efficient & Thrifty

With just scissors and an ad for the symphony, he made a surprisingly useful sign for the dishwasher that says "clean" on one side and "suspect" on the other side.

6. Joe Is A Good Influence

My GPA has been significantly higher during the semesters that Joe and I were roommates, and lowest when we were in different countries.

7. Joe Has Ridiculous Schemes That Actually Work

They tend to involve explosions and fire. Here is a demonstration of his homemade rocket fuel. Other winners include his potato cannon and a giant lens capable of cooking food or burning things.

8. Joe Is An Entrepreneur

He brought my niece to school for "Rent-a-Baby" sessions at 50 cents a minute.

9. Joe Is Hard-Working

One summer, he went to City Hall and interned there for three months. They didn't even have an internship program, but they gave him an award anyway.

10. Joe Has The Best Costumes

I've had to ask him for multiple lessons in tying bow-ties.

11. Joe Is Generous With His Time And Money

When we hosted a Christmas party, Joe got the tree and prepared the food even though he had to study for finals.

12. Joe Is A Community Leader

He's been involved with Irving Youth Action Council, Teen Court and Student Government. He started A Capella Club and is a founding officer of the AEI Executive Council. Here he is leading the winning team in the Rome Olympics.

13. Joe Impresses All The Important People

President Keefe calls him the "vice-president of the school." Yes, that's Joe with the mayor, and again with the Cardinal.

14. Joe Is A Troublemaker Who Never Gets In Trouble

The only fine he's been charged was for public intoxication. He got written up for acting drunk in Rome when he was completely sober.

15. Joe Stands Up For What He Believes In

Even when it means going against the grain.

16. Joe Is An Excellent Cook

Don't be fooled by the Hawaiian shirt. Joe's dishes always seem to turn out, even when he doesn't use a recipe. The other day he seasoned and cooked a turkey for the first time, and people said it was the best they had ever tasted.

17. Joe Taught The Groundhog How To Unicycle

You won't find many school mascots that can do this.

18. Joe Brought The Crusader To UD

Speaking of uniquely awesome mascots. Joe also helped start the Blue Crew to support all of the sports teams.

19. Joe Is One-Of-A-Kind

Once he went to jail just so he could try to escape. It didn't work - they had to take the jail apart to get him unstuck. Below, the stocks Joe built are equally inescapable.

20. Joe Is The King Of The Free Food Network

He always knows where the food is on campus, and half the time he's the one handing it out. He's even been known to give sack lunches to homeless people.

21. Joe Is The Greatest Brother Ever

I couldn't ask for a more helpful pal, a more fun playmate, or a better friend. Thank you for always being there for me.