One of the greatest men I’ve ever known through the entirety of my life passed away today. He had a heart attack this morning, drove himself to the hospital, then had quadruple bypass surgery. I thought for sure he was going to make it. In fact, I never gave it a second thought. To know Mike Callender, to really know Mike, was to know that he was one of the toughest, quietest men you would ever meet, and surely something like this wouldn’t beat him.

It did. My Dad and I had just spoken about going to visit him in the hospital. I hung up the phone, and literally two minutes later I got the call. It was my Dad, and he was telling me that Mike didn’t make it.

Didn’t make it? This didn’t make any sense to me. I left my shopping cart where it was, full of groceries, and left Target immediately. It was real.

Let me tell you my history with Mike. I dated his daughter off and on for five years. During that time, I became incredibly close to Mike. We’d BBQ together, we’d talk about sports, and we’d get into that area where only people who are comfortable with each other can go. We’d talk about faith, politics, ourselves and what it meant to really and truly be a man. He inspired me, and it’s not hyberbole for me to say that he was like a second father to me. He showed me so many things with his actions, so many things that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Mike and Vicki raised two beautiful and amazing daughters. I became part of this family, and I grieve so heavily right now that I can’t even begin to describe it. My heart feels like it’s been wrenched completely out of my chest, and it’s getting worse by the minute.

I went to the Callender house tonight. There was a gathering of people there. It’s amazing how many people they have touched over the years, how many people have truly been affected by Mike and his family. I sat there, not even knowing what to say, on the verge of complete breakdown and tears. I’m still on the verge of complete breakdown. Abbey asked me how I was doing, and I told her I was fine…but then quickly recanted once I realized that I was not, in fact, fine. I was doing awful, and I’m still doing awful. I just have no words for the emotion that I’m feeling right now.

I truly loved and respected Mike Callender. And the lessons that he taught me by his actions, by the way he loved his family, will stick with me for the rest of my life. I can think of nothing more to say except that Michael Callender (or “Bud” as we called him) profoundly affected my life, and I will miss him until the day I leave this earth.

Rest in peace, Bud, and thank you so much for helping shape me into what I am today. I love you and will see you someday.