Today is J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday; he’d have been 120 years old.

Traditionally, fans raise a glass to him at 9pm their local time and give a simple toast: “The Professor!”

I like that it fits so well with the things I love about J.R.R. Tolkien and his work: it’s simple and traditional (old-fashioned, even) but still whimsical because of what so many people around the world are putting into it.

Since I already shared my Lord of the Rings memories with you recently, I won’t do it again here, but I will say that those stories have endured as my favorites, and probably will for my whole life.

So, thank you, Professor, for opening my imagination wider than it had ever been before.

And please forgive me for ending that last sentence on a preposition.