This may sound odd, but the day my grandfather passed away. June 2, 1999. He and I were very close, he pretty much raised me when I was a child after my parents divorced. He was also a very accomplished and award winning artist, who in fact, taught me everything I know about it.

The day he passed away I was enrolled in a state school studying education and pretty much had zero desire to ever be a teacher. During his last few days he drew me something from his death bed, that I still have framed right next to my desk and told me how much potential he saw in me and that I should move forward with the talent I have and the theories on art he educated me on.

The day after he passed away, I dropped out of the state school and enrolled in an art school, which as luck would have it, allowed me to begin the following Monday for their summer session. 18 months later I have an Associates Degree in Commercial Art. After not finding a great job, I go back and finish my Bachelor's Degree and I was able to combine that with my art degree into a pretty high level marketing position that I obtained based entirely on my passion for art and creativity, that was molded from my pap.

If I ever get a tattoo, that date will somewhere be on there.

And congrats on the little one! I am off to find some of my pap's artwork, I still have over 100 pieces, and probably cut some onions/have some bad allergies.