In the last 6 months I have learned A LOT about myself. My life changed dramatically at the beginning of this year, and with the help of friends I was able to analyze what happened, learn from it, and move on. Without those friends – I’m not sure where I would be right now.

I have truly been blessed with good friends. They are there when I need them as most friends are.  But, my friends are also there – just to be there, and that is wonderful.

I think that with everyone in this word that you come in contact with, you should learn something from them.  It may be bad, it may be good – but learn something. I try to learn as much as possible from those around me.  I read in a book once that you should take a look at the 5 people you spend the most time with… because they are your future.  Think about that for a second – it holds some truth.

For instance, from watching my buddy Ben, I have seen what true love is. I see how much he REALLY loves Liz, and it amazes me that he ALWAYS shows it. So to that… Ben… thank you.

From Justin I’ve started to learn how to have fun again.  Justin and I’s relationship up until about 2 months ago was strictly business.  It was “hey whatsup… what new projects are you working on?” or “have you done any work with the new software program?” But then we started hanging out and I witnessed his random outbursts and began to feed off of them.  We were able to move past the ‘business’ relationship and onto a friendship.  To that… Justin… thank you.

Then there is Lindsey… wow!! Lindsey keeps me grounded. She will put me in check without question. I truly love this girl. Whether it be a lunchtime trip to Arni’s, a mid afternoon trip to Starbucks, or just chillin’ wherever – we always seem to have a great conversation where she puts life back into perspective for me. To that… Lindsey… thank you.

Let’s not forget my girl Myka – I’ll never forget Myka telling me to “man up” wow!! But she was right. Myka truly helped me to start being happy again. Helped me to start seeing the brighter side of things, and realizing that I didn’t need to keep beating myself up over the same things.  Myka also keeps me on my toes with intellectual conversation… from time to time… she actually knows what she is talking about To that… Myka… thank you.

And I can’t go without talking about one of my best friends – Mike.  If nothing else, Mike has just been there. No matter where I’ve been if I look to my side Mike is there.  And THAT is a friend. I’m sure there have been times that I have been an absolute dick to Mike, and I’m sure it will probably happen again, but as I said I just look to my side and he is still there. But there is more to Mike than that.  As I look at his life during the time we have been friends, I see what he has had, what he has lost, and what he is doing to grow from that, and that inspires me.  To that.. Mike.. thank you.

Of course there is more, but I couldn’t imagine anyone sitting here reading about all of my friends, and what I have learned from them. But to add one additional thing I’ve learned from ALL my friends – it’s that we are all in the same boat.  We are all constantly wondering why we are here – what we are doing – why we look the way we do – what the future holds for us – whether or not we have fucked up our lives… and so on and so on.  To that… thank you for letting me know I’m not alone…. And thank you… for being a friend.