Hello,
Sending love to whoever reads this. Rad was practically everyone's best friend, at least at some point or another. We have only been keeping in touch every once in a while more recently, but I always loved Rad and anytime we got to talk on the phone was a treat. I've got a great voicemail from a year ago where Rad is yelling "hermano" into the phone because he knows how much I love spanish. As I am sure several folks will also compete with me in saying, I am proud to say that Rad was my best friend throughout middle and high school.
We were always peer pressuring each other for better and worse. We were just about the last two of all of our friends to try beer, and at one point we were often talking about whether we should try it or not. We went back and forth about whether we should be angels or devils about any number of things. While we did get in plenty of trouble together, you'd also always find us sitting next to each other at our school's FCA/Younglife events and retreats. When we skipped the parties and razzle dazzle of the Atlanta scene for a Christian retreat weekend, we talked about "getting drunk on God."
Rad and I were always playing lacrosse together from 6th grade until the end of high school. Rad and I hung out a lot during our senior year of lacrosse, mostly on the bench filling water bottles. We spent a lot of that year talking about how we should have been starting, but we were probably the happiest two folks to be supporting our team anyway. As much as Rad loved getting the spotlight, he was also always happy to just be there, supporting his friends.
It was always so obvious whenever Rad walked into the room. The laughter and general excitement would increase a hundred fold. I remember often looking across a room and smiling as I watched Rad dominate the social atmosphere. I learned alot about how to navigate social situations just by watching Rad. He was a huge inspiration to me, encouraging me to be a better friend and laugh harder. I love Rad and will always try to treat others the way he would.
One of my favorite memories of Rad is from just after High School graduation. It is night time and we're at one of our friends' lake houses. Rad has the aux chord plugged in and is playing Widespread Panic song after Widespread Panic song. I think some folks were complaining about it and wanted something else played, and Rad said he would change it next song. Then as one song faded away another Panic song would come on and we would start yelling "Panic!" I was laughing all night and digging the WSP. I loved noodling to Panic, MMJ, or any number of bands with Rad. We went to so many shows together.
I love Rad. I have always heard the cliche about the good, righteous, and devout ones leaving us early. It stings so hard to have it confirmed like this. I've attached a few pictures of us.
Love,
Reid Calhoun