Monday, March 17, 2008

Lazy Sunday

Sunday was a pleasantly uneventful day of hanging out with old friends. These are the kind of friends that don't require constant conversation or any kind of ceremony. We can just kick back with some junk snacks and the TV, and we're good to go for hours.

We were summoned together for the 37th birthday of an old friend of mine. Let's call him Chuck. He was my first serious boyfriend in high school, back when he was tall, blond, and 17, and I was a naive, over-emotional 15. I had been a geek/outcast in middle school, so I can't tell you how excited I was to have a handsome, older boyfriend. It was a super-intense first-puppy-love affair.

Funny how, after all the teenage drama, we managed to stay friends. I eventually married one of his friends, and when I got divorced, Chuck drove my stuff to my new place in a rented van. Of all the friends I had in high school, including the girls, he's the only one I still hang out with.

Ken and I regularly spend time with Chuck, his wife, and their 8-month-old son. They're our best couple-friends. Zach, the creator of Oonis , is Chuck's younger brother, and also a good friend. In fact, they really feel more like family than friends, I've known them so long.

I always come home from these gatherings feeling blessed.

12 comments:

R.E.H. said...

Sounds like you had a whole lot better of a Sunday than I did ;)

Yeah, it's wonderful to have friends that go way back, with whom you are always comfortable hanging out with.

Warped Mind of Ron said...

Friends that count as family are such a great blessing. It's great to be able to belch and fart without having to say excuse me :O

Alex said...

Aw, that's a great feeling.

Jameil said...

awww!! yay!! friends you can just kick back with food and the TV are the best!!!

Anonymous said...

Old friends are the best friends.

Keera Ann Fox said...

Funny you should say your friends are like family, because I got the impression that Chuck behaves like a brother. :-)

Anonymous said...

It's weird how that works out. You make a friend many, many years ago. Then you make some more friends. Some friends go, some more friends come, but after so many years, that one friend from way back when is still there.

Sparkling Red said...

R.E.H.: I just read your post, and yes, I may have overdone it slightly on the cookies last night, but at least I don't have a terrible cookie hangover. ;-)

Ron: For reals, both C and Z have farted in my presence. C was trying to "get away with it", so we all pretended we didn't just hear that. Z just let 'er rip. Because I am a proper lady, I reacted by dissolving in hysterical giggles.

Alex: :-)

Jameil: Yeah, we don't do it often enough. It's a little more complicated now that the baby is on the scene, but I consider him my youngest new friend. He shall also be loved and accomodated.

Unsigned: Amen to that. :-)

Keera: Both of them are like brothers to me. Chuck is like a protective older brother, and Zach is the slightly annoying younger brother. It's nice to have them around, but I'm glad I didn't have to grow up in the same house with them. :-)

Whatigotsofar: Yes, and you can never tell who's going to go the distance. People I felt really close to have vanished without a trace, and folks that were difficult to relate to have showed an amazing loyalty, and are now my most cherished friends.

Jenski said...

Friends who feel like family are great. When you don't have to keep in touch every week, but are always there for each other and it's always completely relaxed when you do see each other. I once ran errands for a few hours with my best friend from high school who I hadn't seen for a year before that. It was perfect. :)

Emma Gorst said...

Sounds like a nice relaxed Sunday!

Sparkling Red said...

Jenski: That's the kind of friendship I have with my oldest friend from BC. Even though we only see each other twice a year, it's always like we just saw each other yesterday.

Aurora: Indeed! :-)

Anonymous said...

Grin, friends are great and old friends are even better :)