Twenty summers ago, a bored teenager found himself in a college bookstore, wasting time and mindlessly thumbing through magazines. Not looking for anything in particular that day, he took a chance and copped the June 2004 issue of GQ with Jake Gyllenhaal on the cover — never knowing it would be the start of one of his longest and most fulfilling relationships to date.
That teenager was me, of course, and I can hardly believe it’s been 20 WHOLE YEARS.
Twenty years of articles, editor’s letters, columns, and briefs that have shaped my manhood, helped me (re)define my values, fueled my pop culture addiction, and taught me more about the complexities, fascinations, and curiosities of the world we live in more than any of my formal education. Two full decades of tips, hacks, suggestions, advice, insights, and influence that have inspired my hobbies, ignited my passions, tempted my tastebuds, increased my intelligence, challenged my stances, and motivated my impulse purchases.
Twenty years of water-stained and dog-eared pages, underlined copy, scraped-up spines, unsealed (and eagerly tested) cologne samples, snatched out subscription cards, and issues seemingly creased and crinkled forever from being tucked under my arm, haphazardly thrown in a bag or the backseat, mangled during moves, or being rolled up in my hand in transit.
Twenty years of grooming guidance that helped me graduate from Noxema and that apricot scrub to moisturizers, serums, creams, gels, and exfoliators that keep me looking less than my age; guidance that took my scent game to levels that made my father proud, made me more confident, and helped make my hugs more memorable; and guidance that took me from my teens into manhood without missing a beat.
Twenty years of style and substance that taught me to care more about what I wear, how it looks, what it says about me, and how I feel about all of it. Two decades of learning how to dress, remixing the rules, coveting classics, trying trends, investing in quality, and blending it all together to cultivate a personal style that fits.
From encouraging me to look sharp and live smart during the Jim Nelson years to encouraging me to live a life that feels authentically my own in the Will Welch era, I can’t say thank you enough for your consistency and companionship, Dear Friend. It’s been a pleasure to grow up — and grow older — with you all of these years.
Let’s keep this special thing going for at least another 20 more.