So...
Cheech called me yesterday morning and I could tell immediately that something was off. He was being very casual. Too casual (The man does not do casual well)
He said, "Hey Tommy, happy almost birthday, man. Hey, so, did you, uh... did you happen to see any of those emails that went out this week?"
And I said, "Cheech. You do realize I get every email."
There was a long pause.
"Every email?"
"Every single one, man."
Another pause.
"...So you knew the whole time?"
"The whole time."
I want to be clear: I let him think he was being very sneaky by working with the team down at HQ to send out those emails asking for birthday wishes for me this last week.
Because honestly, it was one of the nicer things he's ever done for me, and I didn't want to ruin it, man. And also because watching Cheech try to be sneaky unsuccessfully is one of my life's great pleasures.
But here's the part that really got me.
The team gave me a little preview of what you all sent in through that form Cheech put together yesterday. And I have to tell you, man... I was not prepared for that.
You all sent in more than a thousand individual birthday messages. Hundreds of videos and photos. From all of you cousins, all over the country, taking a few minutes out of your day to wish this old man a happy birthday.
I've been doing this a long time. I've had a lot of birthdays. And I don't think anything has ever hit me quite like going through some of those messages.
Here are just a few (and I mean just a few) of the ones that I loved:
Happy Birthday Tommy ! You're an inspiration to us younger old farts everywhere! Hope you have a Fantastic birthday Brother -Bob
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY from a fellow octogenarian, keep on trucking man... don't let the old man in."
Happy birthday!! Wow, 88! I hope to get to that point and be as happy as you seem in about 12 years. I guess I need to start smoking more weed to get there. LOL. I was in highschool when I found you guys.
Even thought I didn't smoke at the time I had all your albums and listened to them every day. Even my dad who was a straight laced military Airborne Ranger loved listening to your skits.
Thanks for the memories and laughs.
"Your emails really brighten my day, I really mean that. The writing tone is personal, and I find it familiar, like we know each other somehow. I'm facing some health issues and your emails and products have helped me. Prayers and love, K."
I'm told they're putting together a full compilation for me, and I genuinely cannot wait to see it.
People ask me sometimes why I'm still doing this at 88. Still showing up to Zoom calls (if you could believe it). Still doing photo shoots. Still writing you these long emails every week. And the honest answer is: it's because of you.
I don't need the money at 88, man. I'm not doing this because I have to. I'm doing it because I genuinely love our products, I believe in what we're building, and I love this familia.
You are one of the things that keeps me and Cheech at this, even when so many other folks our age are parked in a La-Z-Boy somewhere (nothing against La-Z-Boys, of course... they sure are comfortable)
So. The double snowman, eighty-eight years old. Two perfect 8s. My birthday is May 24th (this Sunday) and to celebrate, we're throwing a birthday sale.
Use code
SNOWMAN at checkout for 25% off everything on
Cheechandchong.com. New subscriptions get 25% off automatically, no code needed.
The sale runs through the end of the month, so there's no rush. But I wanted to kick it off today so you have plenty of time to stock up.
Thank you, truly, for everything and all the wonderful notes, man.
Now let's have a great birthday week.
Keep on keepin' on,
Peace and love,
