Cody Labarbera

As the youngest with a six-year gap between us, Cody always felt like he was from a different, cooler world, and knowing everything I wanted to learn. Even though life kept us apart sometimes, whenever Cody was around, he made me feel like the luckiest kid in the world. We’d sit together, watching WWE, and he’d let me believe we could be just like those wrestlers on TV. I remember the excitement of him showing me “ the moves” and letting me play-wrestle like I could actually take him down but in reality, I would just hit him in the leg with my little toy hammer for my Bob the Builder Christmas set till he gave up. But the most amazing thing Cody did was teach me how to swim. He’d patiently show me how to float at the cottage, and then, week after week, he’d take me to my swimming lessons. No matter what but that one time when he forgot because he was on a date, so I ended up just walking there and he bribed me with the sour keys and big feet to not tell anyone. I fondly remember all the dumb bets we made like the time we bet to see who should catch the biggest fish and the loser had to jump off the blue bridge. That was the first time I caught anything and only won because John told me the secret of fish bait so you had to jump with that totally uncool camp bucket hat you like so much. Those times may have been short, but to me, they were everything, and they’ve stuck with me ever since I LOVE YOU CODY and I miss you it sucks your not going to see me get my degree or that we can’t have a beer or you're not going to see me do dumb drunk little brother stuff but just know I love you very much and are happy up there