It’s Blog Crush Day, a bona fide holiday unlike those asshat Hallmark holidays like “Children’s Day” (like when isn’t it?!?) and “Arbor Day” (thanks, trees!), as established by two very fine blogger gals I know and love (via the information superhighway; like, we've never dated).

This blog crush makes me feel a little like I’m in high school, admiring one of the popular + smart kids from afar. You know, the kid in your Honors English class who had so totally read the Great Gatsby off the summer reading list even though he denied it when asked. The guy who your mom begged you to date because he was so smart and so nice and so funny and when you grow up you’ll wish you had paid attention to him. The kid who didn’t make fun of you (to your face) when your overpracticed rendition of “You Light Up My Life” failed to dazzle the 6th-grade talent show as planned.

I almost feel like I grew up with this blogger. In a sense we did, starting things up in the blogosphere at the very same time, corresponding early on over email. His blog career has skyrocketed, not in small part due to a fantastic use of words and his effortless sense of humor and an unfailing kindness unto fellow bloggers. I wish I could spend more time over at his site learning more about impacting people in the way that he does through writing.

Neil, thanks for giving many of us something to aspire to.