I started to write this yesterday. I wanted to sum up our history together. But after 4000 words, I felt that maybe I should save that story for another day. I sort of lost focus on why I started it. I started it because it’s your 40th birthday. And I wanted to try to explain to everybody who you are. I mean, as the person I know you for. I guess you could look at this as a speech on your birthday-party. But as I am not sure you are even having a birthday-party, I figured I’ll write it here.

He sold me a L-A Lakers cable knitted v-neck sweater. That was probably the first time I met Peter. To be honest, I’m not sure it was him, as this would be about 22 years ago. Back in 1990 or something. He was the store manager of a Fliesbergs shop that had opened in Sture Gallerian, and for some reason they had some NBA stuff that was hard to find anywhere else. And if you ask Peter about it, he will probably tell you why they had it. Because that’s Peter. He will tell you how it was. I still have the sweater to prove it, but I can’t say for sure that it actually was Peter who sold it to me, as I did not know at the time that it was Peter who had sold it to me. But he might have been the only one working in that store. And selling me a Lakers sweater when I was a Bulls fan… that fits the profile of Peter Jansson. He will make you create that need for something that you didn’t even know you needed.

First time I ever heard of Peter though, was when I was working at New Sports back in the days. I was known for my fanatic passion for sneakers, and perhaps in particular Nike. So, someone told me that there could only be one other person in Sweden that could match my unnecessary knowledge of Nike and sneakers. I found it hard to believe that some dude called Batman from Kungsängen would be that person. But already back then, Peter had gained a reputation for being a fanatic sneakerhead.

We later got to work together at New Sports on Hamngatan, but it was not until we traveled to Chicago together (as some sort of reward for putting up extra hours during the sale when New Sports closed down) that I really got to know Peter. And it was in the passion for sneakers we found each other. I can remember running to Nike Town the minute we hit the hotel, since we had about 1,5 hours to rest before catching up with the rest of the group we were traveling with. Peter was somewhat of a tourguide on this trip, and instructed everybody not to buy to much before we had paid a visit to the outlet mall. But within 24 hours Peter himself bought a Nautica winter jacket for somewhere around 700 us dollars. And a few pairs of sneakers of course. And that is Peter. He has a good brain that will tell you what is right. But he will always follow his heart. And in Chicago – his heart needed that Nautica jacket.

To tell you the truth, me and Peter never had that much in common. Besides the obvious of course – sneakers. And perhaps music. And we never really hung out that much. Not when we were working for New Sports and Fliesbergs. And not that much more when we started Sneakersnstuff together. To me it was natural to ask Peter to join me when I wanted to open up a website to sell sneakers. Just as natural as it was to open up the store before we had a website, when we found the space next to Peter’s buddy’s office on Åsögatan 136. Because everybody likes Peter. And no wonder. He is (almost) always happy. And if he’s not – he will not stay mad for longer than 10 minutes. Then he his back to happy again. That is probably one of the reasons that everybody likes Batman from Fliesbergs.

And today he turns 40. As I mentioned I am writing on a over detailed story about Peter – but figured that I’d save that for another day. I have known Peter for about 16 years. I have run a company with him since 1998. We have been all over the world together. We have had bad days, and good days together. And the future holds more of both. Hopefully and most likely more good than bad.

So, with all that said: Thank you Peter. Thank you for being you. Thank you for always following your heart and bringing positive energy where ever you go.

I am not sure I will see you today, but I got you a gift. I think you will like it. I had some great help from some people to get it. J-bawls is one of them, but the other two would like to remain anonymous in social media context. And there is a catch. You can’t show of your gift online…

Happy Birthday Peter

Love – always

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