Through the years

Today is my friend Tim Frank's birthday. Even though he's a Notre Dame grad, he's one of my favorite people in the whole world. I met him in 1993 when he came straight from ND to work in the U-M Sports Information department (how he made that transition, I'll never know). Since I never had a brother, he was the closest thing to it. After only being at U-M for a year, he moved to Houston to work in public relations for the Rockets. After several years with the Rockets, he went big time and took a position as the Vice President of Communications and Spokesman for the NBA. Even though he's now Mr. Big Stuff, we still stay in touch, he still calls when he's in town and, much to my surprise, he remembers so many things from back in the day. So, in honor of Tim's birthday, here's a photo trip through the years.

This photo was taken at the Johnson sisters' apartment during the 1993-94 school year. I was a junior and Tim just a couple year's older. We look so young!

This photo was taken at the United Center during the 1994-95 NBA season. My best friend, Betsie Simon, and I drove to Chicago to visit Tim and his soon-to-be fiance, Sarah, when the Rockets were in town to play the Bulls.

Kevin and I got married in December (2000), right during the heart of the NBA season, so Tim was not able to attend our wedding. But, since we went through Seattle en route to our honeymoon in Vancouver, we were able to see him as the Rockets were in town to play the Sonics.

During the Pistons playoff run in 2004 (which eventually ended with a title), Tim came to town and got us tickets for several different games, including the championship-clinching game. This photo was taken outside his hotel in Pontiac in May 2004.

This last photo was taken just a few months ago. Again, Tim was in town for the Pistons playoff run and took some time away from his busy schedule to meet us for dinner at Buddy's Pizza in Farmington Hills. This was the first time Tim met Harmon and he didn't even hold his name against him!

So, there you have it. One more thing I should mention. When he left Michigan for his job in Houston, I was devastated. It was like losing a best friend. But, the person who took Tim's place made it all better. It was Kevin! I tell Tim "thanks" all the time!