My mother-out-law tells me that the first few years of MJ's life he had to live through remodeling hell because when they bought the now beautiful house in central NJ, it was a dump. He'd be in his high chair happily being fed while debris of some former wall lay on the floor and a layer of dust covered all other surfaces.

Then she had son number two, Daniel. AKA, MJ's other half before he met me. That was when MJ discovered his perfect role in the family as Big Brother: Protector, Boss, Leader. This is a role he took very seriously as he ended up with two brothers and a baby sister. MJ would fret so much over their well being, in fact, that his dad had to remind him on a few occasions that he could calm down because he was not The Daddy.

There is an old family video which perfectly demonstrates MJ's brothering technique. How I wish I had it to post here. It's a music video, actually, of MJ and his siblings lip syncing a Run DMC song. MJ must be about seven or eight and you can see the stress on his face from trying to run the show. Danny appears to be obeying strict instruction from his older brother while Matt runs plays the guitar and Lauren pops in and out of the scene babbling. I have seen that look from my husband a few times and I adore that from the very beginning he was a creative genius with serious ambition.

UPDATE: Thanks Matt!

As it is well documented, MJ grew up and put his creative juices to good use. Lucky for me, because that is how I met him - at a design studio in California. A broad shouldered surfer who appreciated art and could talk a politician into a corner - he was my kind of man. I am still blown away by his talent and weakened by his charm. He is the only man I know who can practically fart on command and still be taken seriously. How can I not brag about that?

Happy Birthday, MJ. We should all be so lucky to have someone like you in our lives.