A Very Early Happy Birthday

For the first time in his life (or maybe not), Jay was speechless.

At the sight of this portrait.

That I commissioned for his 31st birthday.

That I had to give him early because we will be flying over the Pacific Ocean on his birthday.

Headed to Singapore.

I asked Lisa Fossen—who created the Christmas Poopsicles I adored—to do the illustration.

I gave her photos of Jay and 10 facts about him. She sketched this on a piece of wood.

Don’t ask me how the Hello Kitty wound up on the piece. I really have no idea.

Jay is still spooked. He says it’s really weird to see yourself in an illustration.

I’m not sure if that means he likes it.

When I ask him if it is okay to put it up on the blog, he says, “You’re always writing about me.”

“But you’re my muse.”

So Happy Birthday, Jay The Muse.

I hope you know I really, really, really like you.