Introducing Freeky Friday!

<center><a href=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Freekware/128889363837099" target="_blank"><img alt="Freeky Friday" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaq7asyZrZmjOXZoCbekE3PK0cbJacPHTaPN7H5WUCCovaAZpkwLZqDun2Om3PDS9k4ETcNEsJE-QGaLtOojNS2Vav9T-iKvlAL77cAwgjJPqZQ8RetN9rJEChzj4pZa0kz5P6j0t6EU/"/></a></center>

My sister blog and I (seriously, she's my sister in real life) are freeking psyched to announce that we are co-sponsoring a new series. We are pleased to introduce to you Freeky Friday! In this series, contributors will spread positivity, unity, and love by responding to a freeking awesome weekly prompt. But seriously, what's with the overuse of the word "freek?"

I'm glad you asked! Once upon a time, there was a boy. I mean, a man. Kind of more of a man-boy. This man-boy was our cousin, Mark. We're referring to him as a "man-boy" because he had a passion for life that most boring adults outgrow.

Mark was the kind of guy that would follow you around with a camcorder singing Barney songs, just to see how you would react. His favorite ride at Disney World was the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (otherwise known as The Peoplemover) because who wouldn't think it was hilarious to circumnavigate far more entertaining rides while traveling at the exhilarating speed of 2 mph? When Disney's Hercules was playing in theaters, we were forced to go see it because it was the only way to get Mark to stop repeating, "Let's. Go. See. HERCULES!" He was our greatest source of laughter, he was the big brother who always came to our rescue, he was our hero.

When Mark was in his late 20s, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Instead of succumbing to the negativity surrounding him, Mark chose to channel his energy into something creative. Freekware was born.

Freekware, Mark's clothing line, became an artistic outlet to occupy his time while he was in and out of treatment. Of course, we all supported it and couldn't get enough of the goods! And we weren't the only ones...

{image by Shipliketheboat Photography}

Yeah, that's P-Nut, the bassist of 311. Because that's how awesome Mark was.

When Mark passed away in 2005, Freekware became his legacy. His sisters have since taken over the company and it continues to expand to this day. Best of all, the proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in order to help other courageous badasses like Mark.

Allow me to introduce you to the folks in that photo. In the top row, we have Mark's mom (my dad's sister), Mark's sister in law, Mark's youngest sister, Mark's younger sister, my dad, my sister, Mark's older brother, and my dad's brother. In the bottom row, we have Mark's nieces and nephew, and me doing the sorority squat so I can hang out with the kiddos. Yes, yes, I know we're all very good looking, but really this is about the t-shirts. This photo was taken on the other side of the country, nearly five years after we lost Mark...and that's what Freekware means to me. It's something that transcends time and space. It's something you can carry with you no matter where you are, because it represents something that's always with you: incredible memories with people you love.

Every time I talk about or wear Freekware, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy because it reminds me of everything it represents to us. The bond my cousins and I share has only grown since we lost Mark, and I think it's partially because we've united over something positive. We always have a blast together, whether we're at Disney, visiting family, or sitting around drinking and playing Apples to Apples. We love each other not in spite of our quirks, but because of them.

Freekware is more than just a clothing line...it's a lifestyle. Spread the Soul. Share the Strength. Embrace who you are and be proud to be a FREEK.

Do you wanna join the Freeks? Just share some positivity every Friday by answering the prompt that we provide. Your first mission:

We're all getting psyched for summer. What plans are you most looking forward to?

Post your answer on June 10th and comment here with your link. Be sure to include the badge at the top of this post...we've conveniently included the html for you!

If you do not have a blog, you can still participate via Facebook and/or Twitter! The weekly prompt will be posted on the Freekware Facebook page every Friday. Simply "like" Freekware and comment on the prompt! Or, you can briefly answer the prompt via Twitter with the tag #FreekyFriday. If you can't decide between a blog post, Facebook, or Twitter, feel free to do all three!

But wait, there's more! All contributions for the month of June will be entered to win some Brownie-covered Oreos as well as a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in your name. So, if you blog on all three remaining Fridays in the month of June, you'll be entered three times! If you blog, tweet, and comment on Facebook all three Fridays, you'll be entered nine times! Get to it! Oh, and be sure to check out the Freekware Facebook page in the meantime!