My earliest memory of Erik was when I was in middle school.  My only goal at that point in time was make the varsity ski team when I got into high school.  My brother Nate was on the team and all of the members of that ski team were like god's to me at that point.  I remember once when Erik and Dan invited me to go up to Troll with them one Saturday and practice.  This was like getting invited on a heli trip to AK with Seth Morrison at the time for me.  I remember being so excited that my Mom was going to let me go, these guys could drive, and they were the ski team stars!  I sat in the back seat for that hour and a half drive there and back, downloaded everything they said into my brain, this was an education on cool. Everything Erik said that day I repeated at school on Monday to my friends, "Yeah I skied with Erik Peterson this weekend, but it's no big deal, I do it all the time."  It's funny now looking back at how lucky I was to have become such a close friend to the guy I idealized as a kid.  I just skied with Erik a couple weeks ago, he helped me up after a nasty fall and laughed at me,  "You OK? don't do that again."  Sixteen years after my first day skiing with Erik he's still giving me one-liners.  Fast forward a couple years and now I'm the young buck on the ski team.  My Mom is leaving me home alone over the weekend for the first time, which gives me my first opportunity to throw a party.  This party becomes way too crazy for me to control and in moment of panic at the thought of my Mother's house being trashed I call Erik at 2am.  No more then Ten minutes later Erik's tossing kids out the front door and saving me from certain grounding.  This was around the time I realized I had two big brothers.  I think Erik took pride in protecting me from time to time when my fast mouth got me in a little deep.  I don't know if he ever realized how much having in my life gave me comfort, I never got the chance to say thanks for everything.

   Driving with Erik was SCARY and fun!  Erik was definitely brave behind the wheel.  He used to drive me home from school and everyday he would hit this old train track crossing and launch his car.  I always knew it was coming and he would get that look in his eyes like, "this ones going to be huge!", and all you could do was check your seat belt and make sure all loose items were secure because that station wagon was going to take flight.  Four point landing everytime, Erik was a pro.  I have been siting shotgun in that same wagon on numerous occasions when making a corner meant a possible two wheel stunt.  Erik scared the shit out me so many times and I always came back for more, what I wouldn't give now to have just one more jump, see the excitement on Erik's face from something as simple as driving home from school. 

   On February 20th, 2009 Erik made the decision to take his own life.  He left behind a million unanswered questions and forced our farewells far too soon.  We may never know what Erik was going through, or how bad he was hurting.  Erik didn't let too many people in, those of us that knew him well all wish there was something we could have said or something we could have done, but Erik was his own man and just like trying to tell him not to jump that wagon he was going to do what he was going to do.  We all wish could we have had that last phone call, that he would have given us some sort of goodbye but that's not going to happen now.  In true Erik fashion he left us to wonder.  Though we may be mad now we will all forgive you Erik.  If you could only see how many people loved you.  We will never forget the good times you've brought us all.  Your memory will live on in all of our hearts and your spirit will guide us all to smiles.  Our goodbye came too soon, but our respect and love for you Erik, will never fade.  You were an Idol, a Friend, a Son, a Brother, and a source of happiness for so many.  You will always have plate set at our Thanksgiving. We will never forget you Erik Peterson, may your heart, mind, and soul now be at peace.  You'll always be my other big brother, I'll always love you, we'll meet again my friend...

Erik, you will be missed.