Moments D403: Comedy, Friends & Reflection

After work I met up with a friend of mine I haven’t seen in probably half a year. He and his wife are incredible people. They have been busy dealing with a new family and the last time I saw this lovely gentleman was just after his second son has been born, that was nearly a eight months ago. It’s crazy how time flies!

The plan: a group of us were to watch a co-worker perform at a comedy club. But first, this lovely gentleman joined me for dinner before the show at Grazie one of my favourite restaurants in the city. It’s been a long time since just my friend and I had had time to sit alone together, and here we found ourselves with great food, wine and an hour and a half to use up. It was a lot of fun sitting just the two of us catching up on old times!

There is a reason why this is a special moment for me over the rest of the incredibly awesome night night of comedy and more friends. It’s because some of the things that this lovely gentleman remembered felt like they were from a lifetime ago. Really truly, when you've known someone for nearly 20 years, it’s amazing to reflect upon how different your life has become since those first few years of being friends. He and I have worked together, we have gone to school together, we have gone out partying together, we have seen each other through bad relationships, good relationships and changing relationships; and and through it all we have remained friends. There may be months, sometimes even close to years passing before we have an opportunity to reconnect due to our busy lives, but when we do we always have a good time and it always feels like just yesterday when we last saw one another.

As I was sitting across from this lovely gentleman at dinner and recalling stories of our past, I realized just how lucky I was to have such incredible people in my life to call friends. My life may not even look remotely as it did 18, 15, or even 10 years ago, but through all those changes, all those shifts in life focus, I have remained friends with someone as special as this lovely gentleman and his now wife. I know in a pinch if I ever needed anything this is a friend that would be there for me. More and more I realize just how important it is to surround yourself with good people. Fortunately, I’m learning that lesson. Fortunately, I have a couple from my past that remind me to never settle for less that the best of friends.

Moments sharing laughter and stories.

Moments smiling inside knowing how fortunate I am.

Moments D372: Laughter, friends and coworkers

Tonight was a fun night. It was work and fun all wrapped into one. But the best moment of the day was when my oldest friend and I entered the bar where a co-worker was hosting a comedy night. The back bar was filled with people from work and a few that were ex-co-workers of mine. While I thought we were running a wee bit late, we ended up being a bit early. (Who knew, comedians can’t keep track of time apparently!) It was a bit like CHEERS when Norm walked in.

It put the biggest smile on my face! I was happy to be early. This gave us time to wait for the rest of the crowd to arrive, and time to catch up with the crowd that was there. I think my oldest friend even picked up a wee crush while we were mingling before the show!

We had a lot of laughs before the show, but even more during the show. Our table was, by far, the most engaged with the comedians. That too made me smile!

Moments enjoying being welcomed into a crowd.

Moments knowing you are part of the group.