Happy 18th Birthday Sam!
I put this website Ride-2-Live.com together for Sam’s 18th birthday on April 19th and for our Harley ride around America this summer.  We’ve been talking about this ride for 3 years, and he’s graduating from High School this year, so there won’t be a better time to do it. We’ll use this web site for the America Ride, keeping our journal and photos on it.  Hopefully everyone reading it will use it to keep in touch with us as we wind our way around the good ‘ol USA.  We plan to leave early July, and return in mid-August.
Please leave Sam a Happy Birthday wish, and any words of wisdom you have for an 18 year old heading out to take life for a ride. Â
Thanks!
Happy Birthday Sam!
Love, Dad
Sam,
It was about 17 years ago that your mom told me something that turned out to be profoundly true: “If you keep turning him upside-down like that, he is going to throw up on you!†I can’t help but think that at Sturgis you may teach/show somebody else how true those words are!
Congratulations on turning legal. It’s truly been an honor and a privilege to see you turn into the great person you are now.
Doug Ray
Comment by Doug Ray — April 5, 2007 @ 2:25 pmHappy 18th Birthday Sam!!!
Comment by Mom — April 7, 2007 @ 9:58 amI cannot believe how fast you grew up or how high up you grew.
You’re a great kid and I’m proud you’re mine.
I Love You!
Mom
Sam,
Comment by Emily — April 7, 2007 @ 10:55 amI wish you a Happy Birthday and a good summer!
From your sister Emily
Congrats on your 18th B-day and graduation. You are a shining light among many kids your age and you make your parents proud. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to be on the starting line with you and look forward to more racing and riding together.
Comment by Mike West — April 7, 2007 @ 11:22 amSam
Happy Birthday!! Well the time has gone by fast and life as you know it will zoom by even faster. Enjoy the moment because sometimes thats all you get. Best wishes and be safe
Ray Rodriguez
Comment by Ray Rodriguez — April 7, 2007 @ 12:37 pmSam,
Comment by Grandma Maggie — April 7, 2007 @ 11:43 pmMy dearest sam happy happy 18th birthday all my very best wishes for the future. How very fast you have grown up and so very well.
I am so very proud of you and love you very, very much.
Your loving Grandma MAGGIE.
Hey Sammy!!
Comment by Rick Rodriguez — April 8, 2007 @ 6:50 amHappy Birthday Dude!!! Now you can legally drink……In Mexico! The next chapter in your life should be a good one…Rock on Man.
Hey Sam,
Congrats on turning 18 and graduating high school (soon!). The next few months, before you head off to college, will be epic! You will be able to look back at the coming months for the rest of your life and know that you did something that most people can only dream about. Cherish that time & Ride-2-Live!!!!!!!
Comment by Chris Whyley — April 8, 2007 @ 7:53 amHappy birthday, Sam. You are my first grandchild. I remember when you were born and now you are a young man. I pray that the rest of your life will be a blessing to many people and that both Chris and Emily will be proud to say, “That’s my big brother!” We will be looking forward to seeing you this summer.
Comment by Grandpa Sonnenberg — April 9, 2007 @ 5:52 amHey Sam,
Comment by Mike Gladkowski — April 9, 2007 @ 7:23 amHappy 18th birthday! It’s been a lot of fun the last few years running around Baja, goofing off in the California desert and watching you grow up. You’re a good kid with a very bright future. Keep yourself pointed in the right direction and make all of us who have had the pleasure of calling you “friend” proud.
Mike Gladkowski
Hey Sam,
Comment by Sergio — April 9, 2007 @ 2:34 pmHappy 18th birthday!!!!! It’s been a pleasure ridding and hanging out and knowing you. Good luck on your future endeavors and with collage (that’s going to be blast!!!). And don’t worry, while your cramming for an exam we’ll keep you posted on all the boring Baja stuff. ;O)
Happy Birthday Sam! I’ve enjoyed riding and racing with you and look forward to sharing many more miles, hopefully I can keep up. You’re a great dude and very fotunate to have a great family to supports and shares in your adventures.
Comment by Rich Puder — April 9, 2007 @ 8:25 pmGreetings, Sam on your birthday. Truly, it is a JOY to watch you grow-up and be kind, honest , talented and lots more. I saw you on your first day in the world and your just as good looking now. I’m very glad I became a Grandma that day! Have a wonderful day.
Comment by Marilyn Sonnenberg — April 10, 2007 @ 4:46 pmHappy Birthday Sam…Sounds like a great trip! Enjoy America…you’re gonna love it!
Comment by Tim Sanchez — April 10, 2007 @ 8:57 pmCongradulations Sam, this is a major milestone in life. My only words of wisdom for as a Super Senior is stay away from that area near the Superstition Mountains where stage things seem to happen to you. Good luck and enjoy the future. Oh yea, John says Happy Birthday. See ya at the Races.
Comment by Rick Haag — April 11, 2007 @ 10:48 amHappy 18th B-day. Congratulations. For you, “the future’s so bright you gotta have shades” and a good motorcycle. We look forward to following your adventures this summer.
Comment by Nancy & Herb — April 17, 2007 @ 11:23 amhey guys. i just want to thank everbody for the comments they left. it means alot. thanks. :yeha:
Comment by john — April 18, 2007 @ 7:59 pmSlammer…Happy belated birthday! I am damn envious of this trip and I only have two requests for you. First, have a great time. Next, bring El Chivo Viejo home safe and sound. Later…(now, can you fix my carburetor?)
Comment by Uncle "C" — May 11, 2007 @ 9:17 pmIt is too late to say Happy belated birthday for me but HEY GRADUATE you are quite the man now compared to the poopie diaper passed out baby I sat for “just a lil’ bit ago”. I still don’t know if your mom hates me or loves me for the sip of beer and extra tylenol I gave you the night you slept straight through! Can’t wait to see you in Colorado! BORN TO BE WILD you are with the genes you have! But keep it down, I can see and hear well from here!
Comment by Marie — June 25, 2007 @ 9:44 amBelated happy birthday. Sounds like a great trip/ Wish we were
Comment by Tom & Lee — July 8, 2007 @ 2:52 pmyoung enough to join you. Lee does not like the idea of riding
a motorcycle anywhere. Hope we see you at the get together in
Wisc.