I’m on my way home to Fort Lauderdale, sitting in the Sky Club on a layover in Atlanta. Heart happy. Belly sore from laughter. Tired as a shit, but full of appreciation.
My dear friend, whom I’ve known since middle school days, got married this weekend in Houston. We affectionally call him “Texas” because on his first day in middle school, he wore a cowboy hat. May I remind you I went to school in Michigan. Ah, that (now married to a gorgeous lady) guy.
It was a reunion of sorts with people flying in from all over.
I’ve known some of these guys since elementary school.
Went to high school and college with a bunch of these gals.
We danced to pop songs from the early 2000’s and sang I Want You Back by *NSync at the tops of our lungs. We talked about the funny things their children are saying and doing now. We shared heartache over aging parents and family health problems. We talked about how we’re going to head back to England for my 10-year wedding anniversary and effectively set the 7-year countdown. We talked about how difficult and lonely being a doctor’s wife can be. I really missed the hubster, who was stuck in the ICU working, this weekend.
We relived a bit of our once-carefree life, even if only for an evening. It was epically wonderful. I would never want to go back to those awkward middle school years, even college days, if I were being honest. But, man, being with people who know you, truly know you (and still keep you around) filled my heart with contentment.
I’m not sure I realized quite how much I needed that reminder. The reminder that I have good friends. That I am a good friend. That we have shared wonderful (and sometimes shitty) moments together. That no matter the time or distance, some things will never change and in my ever-changing world…it’s exactly what I needed.
There is a line in a graduation speech Baz Lurman gave (Yes, the one that was made into a tacky 90’s-pop song) that still sticks with me to this day:
“Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young.”
I’m so grateful to have that.
Pardon the lack of usually spectacular images; I wanted to spend my time making memories instead of lugging my digital camera around capturing them. I know you understand. :)