Dearest Tony, my beloved Japour-stein. My Japourowitz. Sitting in my bed, after honoring you at a tea ceremony this morning where I placed a photo of us on an altar, I lie in my bed writing this letter and it feels surreal. The call that came yesterday morning from our beloved Carmen shook my soul. I felt like I was in a bad dream. Speechless and gasping for air, as I type this, I can barely think or see straight. Tony, you were my chosen family. I met you in 2006 at La Piaggia and my world changed forevermore. I was bloated with a Pucci scarf in my hair and we fell in love. I considered you to be a best friend. When you called, I answered. Recently, you called to complain about a lawyer and offered me your patio furniture which I regret not taking. It would have left me with a piece of you and now all I have are memories. You ALWAYS showed up. You were that man. You never missed a birthday. In fact, you always wrote to me the day before due to my popularity to ensure it was received and noted. You were the most thoughtful of them all, be it lunch, dinner, a basketball game with Aiko and Rene - you always made sure I was protected and in the best company. After 24-hours of tears, howling and laughter as I reviewed the old FB photos of us, I can't help but be grateful for how deeply you loved me. I mean you thought I was fab even before I had a nose job which was a difficult sight to see. You believed in me since day one. You hosted PLUM TV parties at your home at the Murano in my honor. You left me to babysit your cat Bam Bam there, too. And you thought of me like nobody else. You were a horrible matchmaker early on but left me with some of the most precious friends as a result. An avid aficionado of the arts, the Japour Family Art Collection meant the world to you. As did your Judaism which YOU decided to convert to - you funny mess. My Lebanese prince, I was screaming at my couch today as if you were there. I screamed like a senile person as it was where you sat when you came over to see my home. I thought you were moving into my building when your realtor called me 36-hours ago. But sadly, it was a call that changed my life. Continued in comments...