I love you, man

I read in a comic book once, that the best friends you make in life are those that you make when you’re ten years old.

I’m not sure if I agree with it.

It could be true and I have to admit I do remember a lot of my friends from when I was 10 years old. However, my best friends? Well, I’d have to say  they came later, a lot later.

I once met a guy while playing ball way back in the 9th grade, at first glance he wasn’t anything special. In fact you could even give him a second glance and you probably wouldn’t even remember him.

The only reason I remembered him is because after losing to me in a game of  one on one, he kicked me on my ass  and then ran away while calling me names. He knew that if I got a hold of him, he wouldn’t live to tell the tell.

Hell hath no fury like a big strong slightly pudgy kid kicked on the ass by a skinny little punk.

This was back in 1996, I was 13 years old. Fast forward 13 years and that same skinny little kid went on to become the character I refer to as MWA. While I still haven’t forgiven him for kicking me and then running, I do love him like a brother.

Interestingly enough basketball has helped introduce me to a lot of people. Some of them I forget, and others I remember.

There was this one guy, he was a year older than me but unfortunately he was in the same grade. This guy thought he was the cat’s meow.

Sure, he was a decent looking guy and got almost any girl he wanted. Sometimes there is just no accounting for taste.

Obviously, we both disliked each other. In fact the first time we spoke, he started making fun of my new KB 8′s (Kobe Bryant’s Signature Shoe with Adidas – AWESOME!). Now, I knew it was out of jealousy, and it wasn’t my fault he was stuck wearing a pair of “Neki” knock off’s. We spent the next 20 minutes jawing at each other while trading baskets. This was back in 1997, I was 14.

Today, 12 years later I still haven’t forgiven him for making fun of my KB 8′s. Though I do love him and it helps that I’m going to be the Godfather to his soon to be born child. I call him Beige by the way.

My Mom always believed that my brother and I attracted the weirdest set of people. Looking back at our past I would have to agree.

For instance, I met this one “dude” while working out at my college gym. There I was flat on my back, bench pressing 180 pounds. I finished 20 rep’s and just managed to heave the weight back on the rack.When this dark skinned dude with a nasty scowl on his face looks at me, flexes his biceps and smirks.

So I think to myself “I’m pretty tough, I don’t need to put up with this shit!” and so in my infinite wisdom I smirk right back at him and try to confront him.

The next thing I know, I’m getting a lecture on diet and will power. Seriously, really rude. By the way this was back in 2003, I was 22.

Six years later, this guy “keeps an eye” on one of the most important people in my life and I know no matter what I’ll never be able to thank him for it. I like to refer to him on this blog as Coffee.

While eating dinner Wishy Washy told me what he hates most; is people that pretend to be your friends and then let you down.

The truth is most of your friends will always let you down. We’re all human, it can’t be helped. If you learn to accept this, you’ll find yourself a lot happier.

Sometimes though, if you are lucky enough, you meet a few people who come through for you in ways you could never imagine.

They may let you down every now and then, but like I said we’re all human. In the end I can live with that, because I also know when I need them most, they’ll find a way to be there for me.

I read in a comic book once, that the best friends you make in life are those that you make when you’re ten years old. I like to believe that sometimes you meet them later on.

To MWA, Beige and Coffee: I love you, Man.

Tagged as: Beige, Coffee, Friends, MWA