Days 247-248: Nothing like some time with The Chad...

I can remember the first time he walked up to the Regal Cinemas Culver Ridge cafe, where I spent the summer before my freshman year at NYU serving up lattes, cookies and pretzel bites, and introduced himself as the newest manager. But it wasn't really until I returned to work the following summer, that I just knew the Chad was going to be a special person in my life. I can even remember our first "date," catching the movie "Hollow Man" one night in August 2000 (good thing we didn't judge each other on the movie choice...). Here were are, over 10 years later, and though we've had our ups and downs, we're closer than ever. He's made me realize that family doesn't have to just be the people you're related by blood to. Have you ever had a friend you can be your absolute self around? You can tell them anything, no matter how embarrassing or personal or weird and know they're not judging you, just sharing the moment with you? That's my Chad. And, despite my job that's taken me away to 3 different cities, he's always been just a phone call away and remains my closest confidante.

Sooo, that in mind, I've been trying to figure out how to understand this latest hurdle he's now forced to face, and how to be there for him despite my 5 hours drive distance from him. Not only is he recuperating from major surgery, he's now dealing with another huge medical issue, one that changes your life, and alters how you look at your future. It's scary, it's confusing, it's annoying and it's frustrating, and I hate not being closer to him to stand by him through it all. That's why weekends like this, where I can spend the whole time just hanging with him like old times, laughing and gossiping and watching SATC reruns and staying up waaay too late mean so much to me. I hope it reinforces to him that I may not be around the corner, but I'm there for him through it all, just like he's been there for me through all my crazy life has thrown me, always just a phone call away and ready to head home for a visit should he just say the word. Friends like the Chad don't come around often, so when you find one, hang onto him. Here's to some serious "hanging ooout" time, Chaddy. :) I heart you.