Pacific Ocean

As I write this, I have less than 24 hours before I will be running into the Pacific Ocean, screaming like a maniac. This summer has brought me so many amazing experiences and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me to complete this journey. To everyone who put their faith behind me and believed that I could complete this trip, a thousand times "Thank you." The support from my family, friends, school, fraternity, and community has been second to none. From the first time that I found out about Bike and Build, I knew that it was the program for me. My parents have always been supportive of all of the absurd ideas that I pitch to them, and this was no exception. The question was never "Is this going to happen?" but rather "How are we going to make this happen?" My parents were constant sources of advice, encouragement, and wisdom to me throughout my fundraising, training, and the trip itself. Without them, I could not have even began to consider this trip a possibility, and will be forever grateful for the opportunities that they have provided me.

To all of my friends at school who never quite seemed to understand what I was doing when I would leave for hours on end dressed in nothing but spandex, but nonetheless encouraged and supported me, I cannot express how much your support means to me. From financial donations, to help planning fundraising events, to simply getting excited about what I was planning on doing, you kept my spirits up and never let me doubt my ability to complete this challenge.

Finally, I want to thank anyone and everyone that I have talk to about this program, have brow beaten for donations, and have gotten advice from.

Brooke, you have heard me talking about bikes more than any person should ever be subjected to in their lifetime. From the day that I got placed on the route, you were huge motivating force for me and for that I will be forever in your debt. There were times when the task ahead seemed to be to steep, but you never allowed me to doubt in my ability to excel. Thank you.

Jesse, I owe so much of where I am today to the help that you gave me. You gave up your time and resources to help me get out my message and get the donation I needed. Even in the middle of a hectic final semester, you gave up your time because you believed in me and the cause that I was working for. I have been thinking about you all summer and I know that I would not be here today without your help.

My Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers. I don't know how many of you really knew what it was that I was trying to do, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me. You helped shape me into the person that I am now. You have taught me strength, compassion, humility, and humor. I have worked diligently to achieve this goal and I hope that I make you proud.

Sterling and Dave, thank you for the constant words of encouragement and support. They have gotten me through some tough rides on the bikes. Please take my example and continue to work hard to hold up the ideal of Sigma Phi Epsilon. I have complete faith in both of you to be balanced men and to carry yourselves with honor and virtue.

To all of my donors. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have never lost sight of the mission of this trip. To help educate myself and others about the affordable housing crisis in the United States. I will carry the momentum from this trip forward into the next stage of my life.