The Most Loved Man in Kigali...

...is not actually Paul Kagame,  Ok, PK might win in terms of total numbers of people who adore him.  But the honor of greatest volume of love goes to the one and only Brad - dear friend, baby fattener, Supreme Master of the Dance Floor,  nurse-to-all, family planning proponent #1, Sass Master #2 (I'm the first), and Rwandan orphan accompagnateur - who turned 24 last week.  His parents were visiting Kigali on his birthday and he came to our house to pick up (he thought) a roommate of his for dinner.  He was met with a crowd of about 35 people, approximately 2.65 million pink balloons, dinner, a brand new bike, and the video below.  His roommate and Gardens for Health co-founder, Julie, had spent the previous three weeks organizing and taking video of his friends not only in Rwanda, but having folks from all over the world (South Africa, Uganda, Burundi, Baltimore, New York), sending him "love and light" to show him just how incredible a person he is.

A quick side story about Brad to illustrate his crazy brand of awesome.  During the half-marathon, Brad did one lap around the course (about 6 miles) and after he finished, spent the rest of the time finding friends to cheer along.  Part of the motivation was in the sheer ridiculosity of his getup.  Picture a marathon.  Running shorts, tank tops, more running shorts, etc.  Now picture a super-skinny, dreadlocked man in a mid-thigh-length, tie-dyed onesie.  Did I mention that it's SKIN tight?  Yeah.  Skin tight.  Picture that image in the context of conservative Kigali, Alex and I struggling along the course, and Brad running backwards in front of us and cheering.  Ask Alex how he finished the half marathon and he won't tell you I got him through it, he'll tell you it was Brad, in all his spandex-ed glory, who pulled him to the end.

I DARE you to keep a dry eye while watching this video.  It's rare that a single person can inspire this much genuine love from so many people.  It's clear in this video just how special a guy Brad is.  We love you my dear!