The Food That Made Me

11/17/2025

Kids, I do hope you guys find a best friend. Mine is Uncle Butters.

Uncle Butters is the Jonathan to my David. I was yearning for a best friend in college, and it was an even more desolate time before that. College can be lonely. We met during college at a Greek Intervarsity Christian event. Oh, silly us trying to play the role of cofounders. Maybe I’ll tell that story another day. Then, as the years went by, he gradually became my best friend.

Criteria for Finding a Best Friend:

1. They care about you.
   1. I can’t count the number of times Uncle Butters has listened to me rant and vent. He listened to me when I was sad, and he comforted me when I was anxious. And, he brings me peace and keeps me grounded.
2. They must have a good sense of humor. Oh my children, one trait that I wish to pass on to you is Daddy’s humor. It is called (無厘頭) or “nonsensical”, “silly talk”, or slapstick. ****Life is hard. Most of the time, you just need to laugh.
   1. Uncle Butters laughs at my jokes and compliments me on my comedic timing.
3. They are willing to help you. (Assuming that daddy also passed down traits that make you need help.)
   1. Uncle utters answers all of my random questions, “How do you fix this device?” “Is there a godly form of government?” “Why do we wear rings on our ring finger?/Why do priests have collars? (You probably don’t want to Google the last one.)” “How do I season my cast iron?” He is patient and kind every time, like the wonderful special education teacher that he was.
4. Find one that you wouldn’t mind keeping for life.
   1. On a show called How I Met Your Mother, there was a term called the “Slap Bet.” Basically, you get to bet on things and slap the one on the losing end at any time. I chose to slap Uncle Butters right before my wedding. Thanks, brah. (You probably don’t want to be violent with YOUR best friend. The 2020s were a different time.) Hey, if he stayed after dealing with your shenanigans, then that friend gets to be your lifelong friend.
5. Talk to each other every week/day.
   1. I don’t remember when this tradition started, but we would talk to each other every week. Somehow, we never run out of material to talk about. Uncle Butters allows my creative mind to run wild.
6. Bond over something.
   1. We have bonded through a show called Good Mythical Morning, two dads now in their 40s, having slapstick humor. We are Mythical Beasts because of that. Will it taco? Will it ice cream sandwich? And, over the years, we have learned to enjoy food more and more. We have loved the chaos and transparency that is the hallmark of Mythical Chef Josh. Every time Uncle Butters returns, we have made items from the Mythical Cookbook: Carne Asada Burrito of Death, Breakfast Burger with French Omelet and Hashbrown, Poutine Spaghetti and Meatballs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rolls, Baconana Split, and more next time.

I’m just happy to call him my friend. At the moment, he is in New Orleans. That is one of his biggest flaws currently. But, like a bird that spreads its wings, they will eventually come back home.

P.S. Does anyone know of any women who are single in the Bay Area who would like him? He is a pretty cool dude.