Celebrations

This past weekend I had the chance to celebrate a dear friend, and as always we shared a good many laughs, some deep conservation, and the usual comfort of feeling heard with each other. There isn’t a time I have not had a blast when we are together. It got me thinking. What is it about shared experiences, vulnerability, and a sense of accomplishment that allows some people to share more deeply, to care in a way for them that is instantaneous while it takes a while to create intimacy with some others?

Nik has been in my life for over 20 years, and with year passing, our friendship has matured, gotten deeper like a fine wine that gets better and better with each passing year. I thought I’d made all my close friends when I graduated UCLA, but I was dead wrong. A casual meeting at a family gathering led us to having some of my best trips to date, and each time I can’t wait for us to get together and do something else. He not only pushes me, but has allowed me to learn things, share stories, and generally feel accepted. He has that unique ability to make feel surrounded with love and attention.

Celebrating this milestone made it all the sweeter as we are now both in the 50s club, and yet we don’t feel any older, instead we are hungrier, more curious, wanting to partake in more things, and that’s what I find we have most in common: a passion and a willingness to experience all that life has to offer. Its fitting that we now live even closer than before which makes me excited to look forward to the coming years.

Yet another reason Nik and I get along is his willingness to be blunt, to not let me get away with being judgmental (a trait of mine), to question some of my beliefs, forcing me to really think things through. He is not an easy person to deceive or come to with shallow thoughts. And that’s what makes our friendship even dearer. I can’t wait to keep celebrating him. Happy 50th Nik!! I know this year is going to be the best one yet!