On Saturday, I got word that an old friend had passed away in a tragic accident in Colorado Springs on Friday night. We weren't super close, nor did we keep in touch after high school, but this event definitely brought back memories for me.
After hearing the news, I passed on my condolences to the friends and family that had notified me, and began planning how I was going to notify those few individuals no one but I still had contact information on.
It took me a couple of days to get up the courage, but today, I sent a message to my high school sweetheart via messenger, who as I recalled, had been really good friends with the individual but hadn't kept in touch. I would have rather called, but we haven't talked in years, and even then it was only online. I didn't have his phone number.
After 15 minutes of awkward catching up, I explained that I would have rather called, but since his daughter and wife were sleeping, I would get to the point of my contacting him. After a few minutes of providing the few details I had, he informs me that he isn't sure who I'm talking about. "Oh." He dug out his yearbook, and I got an "Oh yea." He was quiet for a few minutes, then responded with a thanks.
We spent another few minutes remembering our friend, and he needed to go teach a class, and would contact me back in an hour. We talked for a little bit about our jobs, and our lives, his daughter and baby on the way, and I needed to get back to work. I said my goodnight, and then he asks "Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?" That was unexpected, but I guessed where he was going. I laughed at him, told he didn't need to fish for more, and that I was just wanting to tell him about Aaron, and catch up a little. I said next time might be better over the phone. We exchanged phone numbers, and my phone rang.
It was nice catching up. I haven't heard his voice since 2001, and believe me, it was so calming. Weird how that worked out. We talked more about his time overseas, his teaching career, his daughter, my work, and a few vague details about my personal life. An hour later, we were laughing and deciding we needed to chat more often.
I find it really unfortunate that it took an event like this to get us talking again, after 10 years. I feel stupid for waiting this long.
My Pseudo walked up right as we were ending the call with our goodnights, and we should talk more oftens. When he did, I realized how much the two of them are alike. While these details I'm sure are unimportant to most, they really stood out to me, so I'm logging them here for my own sake.
Both ----------------------------------------
- were lifeguards and are excellent swimmers.
- taught swimming and various forms of water-based exercise.
- are excellent with computers and very well versed in all kinds of music.
- are Leos, 12 days apart. Pseudo is older by 6 years though.
- are into engineering. One with a degree, one with a partial degree.
- are teachers/professors.
- are very devoted to their families.
- are good listeners, and great at making people laugh.
- come across as very innocent or naive. They fool everyone though.
- are very good looking. (no objections here)
It's really weird. I've noticed a few here and there, but not this many at once. And I'm seeing more as I write this. *shrug* The guys I find......
So back to it.... High school was an interesting experience I don't soon wish to relive, but the memories are great. A few sad, and a lot of happy.
It feels good to look back on it, but it feels better to know that here I am 10 years later, and I'm looking back on the years I absolutely hated, with a smile.
What's in store for me next? What do I have to look forward to? I am excited to think that I'll be remembering this moment in 10 years, and hope that I look back on it with the feelings I feel right now. I'm quickly learning that letting nerves get in the way of what you truly feel needs to happen, can only hinder you. If you know what you need to do, do it. Don't let fear hold you back. Who knows if there will be a tomorrow? Enjoy every moment as if it were your last. Live for today! Look forward to what tomorrow will bring!
*cheers* Here's to the next 10.
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