"I'm making you my protégé. People will look at you and think of me; I'm putting my name behind you." I remember you telling me this on the homeward-bound plane after our first competition together in Manila. I looked up the word protégé because I thought it was one of those douchey words and here's what it means: 'A person who receives special protection and promotion from someone more established in the field.' I think that's exactly what you've done for me. The promises and dreams of two 23 year olds on a plane 30,000 feet above sea level aren't expected to mean much, but I think we've managed to respect, lead and grow each other into the people we are today pretty well, I daresay. Thank you for seeing something in an absolute greenhorn and trusting me with so much. My successes are your successes and I am even more thankful that a deep friendship underlies all of that. Happy birthday @buffalochua, you have changed this life and many others. Be blessed, be brave, be brilliant. #teamsossg #stateracrew










