I have struggled to put into words what the loss of Dan means to me, to all of us. I don't think I can. Instead here are the words I wrote about my life with Dan. Dan, you and me were just meant to be… but don’t worry mate I’ve not tried to write you a poem. You were born a month before me and lived just round the corner. I believe we first met when we were 2 years old. I still regret wasting those first 2 years of my life not knowing you! We had some great times growing up together playing in each other’s houses, (I remember you always having a snooker table!) football on the garages and weekends away at Kirkstead Bridge with our families. You shone bright from a young age, effortlessly making new friends, I quickly learned that I was going to have to share you! We didn’t see each other as often when you moved to Hollow Meadows, but spent weekends together in your even bigger playground of Rivelin Valley. We would walk, talk and play for hours, sitting on the rock in the river that we named Hallson rock. Some epic parties were to follow as I’m sure a lot of people here would agree. Marie and Roger were very understanding when they woke up on a Sunday morning to a dozen or so people asleep in their front room and bacon sandwiches would always follow. I know they looked on very proudly as Dan made new friends and made people happy with his lust for life. We continued to grow up together, Dan having driving lessons with my Dad and miraculously passing first time. I don’t intend this to sound mean as in later years he was a great driver, but in his first couple of months of driving he had about 4 minor accidents. I thought this was great as I worked at the insurance brokers where Dan insured his car so it meant I got to see him at work as he completed his claim forms! When Dan went to Uni in Huddersfield, me and a few of the lads would visit him regularly on weekends, so regularly in fact that I still refer to those times as my Uni days, even though I never actually went to University. When Dan returned from Huddersfield we went down town virtually every weekend having some great nights out with our ever growing group of mates in the Leadmill and Hotpants to name just a couple. The Norfolk Broads and Kavos holidays will stay with me forever. Me and Ian were fortunate enough to visit Dan, Marie and Roger in Oregon. Dan had made some amazing friends out there and we had the time of our lives sampling the many beers in the Grandstand Pub, white water rafting, shooting and a road trip to San Francisco. I was so happy when Dan met Ayesha and moved back to the proper side of town! As an added bonus Ayesha happened to be lovely and I quickly considered her a good friend, not just Dan’s girlfriend. Thursday night games nights at Dan and Ayesha’s quickly became the highlight of my week. I was chuffed to bits when Dan proposed to Ayesha and honoured when he asked me to be his best man. Little did I know at the time that he would be my best man first. I owe you big time for getting me and Heather together, you just knew we were perfectly matched and took great pleasure in making us so happy. The easiest decision of my life was asking you to be my best man, you did us so proud. I am just sorry I never got to repay the favour or choose you an equally ridiculous stag do costume. I was over the moon when Dan told me they were expecting Joy, especially when I realised that our babies would be born 1 month apart and live around the corner from each other. Dan was the most amazing Godparent to our Bethany as I know Ayesha will continue to be. I’ll miss your infamous hugs, warm smile, warmer welcome with a cold beer and complete inability to tell a joke properly, that actually made it funnier by the way! Sorry if I have gone on a bit but I felt the need to share my life with Dan, I just wish it could have been a best man’s speech instead. Love you Dan xxx