Blood Brothers

Isn't it funny when you have the same conversation many times in a short period of time with different parties?

In the last few weeks, I've found myself constantly talking about the idea of old friends. To put it bluntly, you can meet new people and get along smashingly well--but there's no substitute for time. History provides a deep well of shared experience and commonality that can't be forced or rushed. (This can be applied to any kind of relationships--romantic or platonic.) I don't really feel like waxing poetic on this subject--as I've done nothing but discuss it for weeks now--but also because I have a feeling you know what I'm talking about theoretically.

Now for the application:

As mentioned in my last post, I got out of Boston (again) this last weekend. A friend from BYU was moving home, so I headed down to spend time with him and several other old friends on his last weekend in the city. Long story short, I spent two+ days with friends I've known through at least three of my previous life stages. The setting has changed, our jobs have changed, etc., but who we are at the root hasn't changed. In some ways, these are the people who I feel know me the best; and with whom I feel the most comfortable. There's something safe about having friends who know your weaknesses well and love you despite them. And prove it by hanging around. They are my family. We had a grand time doing not much, but laughing a ton and I really didn't want to come back to Boston. That might be one of the first times I've truly felt that. Sigh. Growing pains, huh?

Moral of the story: go email, call, text, visit, or write a letter to an old friend. He or she will no doubt delight in receiving it. That quote about if we don't learn history we're doomed to repeat it? I'll add my two cents: If we don't remember history, we're doomed to forget it.