RIGHT WHERE WE LEFT OFF…

I had an amazing day. I drove to Atlanta to visit with a college friend I haven’t seen since 2004. CJ and I met when he was my neighbor my freshman year of college in 1992 and enjoyed an instant friendship and, in many ways, a brotherhood. My family adopted him as one of their own. It wasn’t until about a week before he graduated that I learned a secret he had been holding from me. We were more similar than I would have ever imagined. He confided in me that he is, like me, gay. That was actually a pivotal moment in our friendship. In many ways, it was a new beginning of our friendship, or at least a new chapter. While CJ and I never shared any romantic feelings for one another, we were there for one another through the coming out process.

Such memories. CJ was there for my first gay bar experience. I was there the first time CJ got drunk. CJ even lived with my grandparents for a period of time. CJ moved to the west coast. I have had the privilege to visit him there on several occasions. There was a time when we would speak on the phone several times a week, but busy schedules and different time zones we fell apart from communicating as much. The last time I saw CJ was in California in 2004, when Parker and I were there for our honeymoon. That was, until today, when I met him in Atlanta for lunch. It was absolutely like we had just seen each other yesterday. That’s true friendship. That’s brotherhood.

Here’s my confession: CJ and I picked up today right where we left off. It didn’t feel like there had been any time, distance or experiences between us. I think that is the mark of a true and abiding friendship. We both felt we could just be honest with one another about things going on in our lives. We enjoyed an amazing lunch, incredible company and I think a renewed sense of friendship. CJ, thank you for an incredible day! This was another day when memories were made with my ‘brother’. I’m so hopeful that we will soon be able to spend more time together. I confess that even though I do not enjoy driving, even the drive to and from Atlanta was something I enjoyed. The whole day can be summed up in one word. Cathartic.