"Let's go to Gibjack's room"

"DOWN!"

Freshman year, this was a daily conversation between me and my best friends Grace and Bridget. There were approximately 135 dorm rooms in Shorts Hall but Jack's room was by far my favorite. I became close with Jack after finally meeting the funny and smart guy from Grace and Bridget's Frog group that they always talked about.

To be honest, I was a little intimidated the first time I started hanging out in that dorm room because Jack was the kind of person who knew exactly who he was and wouldn't change that for anyone. I truly think he would bust the Queen of England's chops and make the royal guards break their silence because they wouldn't be able to hold back the laughter.

I remember it so well: Freshman year in Shorts Hall, sitting on Charlie's bed watching he and Fralen play Mooney and Jack in beer pong with half-empty beer cans scattered all around the tiny dorm on the 3rd floor. Jack is picking on Bridget in a way I can only describe as the perfect cocktail of ruthless, hilarious, witty, and loving. I'm complaining about the country music playing on the speaker as Mooney and Grace “argue” and tease one another.

Jack would always be the one to point out that they were actually flirting when no one else would while simultaneously peeping out the window to make sure the RA’s weren’t snooping outside. That's the thing about Jack, even when he was picking on us, he had this sparkle in his eye and a charming smile that revealed how warm-hearted he truly was. When he would call me a “hooker” I knew it was his way of telling me I was his friend. Also, his burns were so damn funny and true that it was impossible not to laugh along as he roasted you to your face. It’s hard for me to understand that I’ll never get to hear him tease me ever again.

I’d give anything to hear him say one more joke.

Running up to the third floor and hanging out with Jack, Charlie, Fralen and Mooney soon became a tradition and habit for Grace, Bridget and I. The second I stepped into Jack's room I would be laughing until I got back to my dorm on the floor below him. I know when I'm old and gray I will look back at the times we all spent screwing around in that messy dorm room as some of the best times of my life.

Anyone who got the opportunity to know a person as amusing, raw, kind, and smart as Jack Mattsson in their lifetime should feel extremely thankful, I know I do. Jack, thank you for being my friend when I invaded your room constantly, thank you for all the belly laughs, and thank you for making my freshman year so memorable and wonderful.

I know when I hear thunder it's you making God and all the angels laugh in heaven. Rest easy homie I can't wait to see you again someday.