Some people cross your path for a moment, others for a season—but all of them leave something behind. My cousin, Mitchell Gallacher, is one of those people who has been a constant in my life, leaving a mark that has shaped who I am today.
From a young age, Mitch, Jon (my little brother), and I did everything together. We played video games late into the night, invented random games, even created our own secret language for a time. We were explorers of imagination, and sometimes troublemakers, but always side by side.
When we reached 7th grade, Mitch and I finally ended up in the same school. We had gym class together, and I remember moments when people would pick on him. I wasn’t going to let that slide. I stood by him, and he stood by me. Together we were immovable. That bond carried into our daily lunches, where we would walk around for half an hour and just talk. Our conversations weren’t just about Minecraft worlds or the games we’d play later (though there was plenty of that). We talked about ideas—computers, psychology, or whatever had caught our attention. We’d throw thoughts at each other and see where the conversation went. Those moments taught me that some of the best friendships are built not just on shared interests, but on shared curiosity.
I watched Mitch push himself to grow in every way—staying in shape, lifting more, thinking deeper. Everything he did was aimed at becoming better than he was yesterday.
In high school, I saw him open up even more, especially with his younger brother, Finn. He was a great influence on him, just as he had been for me. And when it came to family gatherings, Mitch and I were the ones playing with our little cousins. While the adults talked about their days and weeks, we were busy building forts, chasing kids around the house, or letting them dog pile on us. We wanted those kids to feel seen. And Mitch had a gift for that—he naturally made space for people who might otherwise be overlooked.
That’s who Mitch has always been: a peacemaker, someone slow to anger, someone who notices others’ needs and tries to comfort them. When I came home from my mission, I saw how that same quality had drawn a strong network of friends around him. People were drawn to his steady, uplifting presence.
Life moves people in and out of our stories, but Mitch has been one of the most consistent people in mine. He shows up. He puts in the work. He sees deeper than what’s on the surface. And for all of that, I deeply respect him.
No matter where life takes us, I’ll always be grateful for what Mitch has brought into mine: a bond built on laughter, loyalty, ideas, and the kind of presence that makes people feel valued.