*names are changed
Today I had the great privilege to attend my college friend Zach's mission farewell. The farewell was at a ghastly 9 am. But it was wonderful. I drove up to my friend *Steven's house and me, him and his cute girlfriend *Marie all carpooled to the farewell. I hadn't seen these friends since school got out.
Now let me give some hilarious history between me and all these people. Steven originally liked my roommate *Brittany. When Brittany didn't feel the same way he quit pursuing her and started dating Marie a short time later. I met Steven and Zach through Brittany. I became Zach's relationship therapist and participator in endless theater conversations. Marie was in a theater class with me but we didn't really become friends till she started dating Steven. But what makes it all funny is that I kissed Steven. Many schools have a True (mascot) night. You gather at a specific place on campus and kiss another student and then you become a true (whatever the mascot is). Of course that was before Steven started dating Marie but it was while he was pursuing Brittany. So there you have it, a mixed web of friendship, romance and awesomeness.
It was so wonderful to spend time with these friends and watch a fantastic farewell talk that was so... Zach. All the "ums", laughs, and ranting (because that's mostly what the talk was) was concluded with a beautiful testimony. To watch him just be himself up on the stand and bear a simple, pure and profound testimony was beautiful.
After the farewell talk we went to Zach's house for a farewell party. For those outside the church, it is customary to attend friends mission farewells. Afterwards the friends family provides food for all the guests that traveled for the farewell specifically. The ward and neighbors usually don't come to the after party. Usually it is just family and close friends. But the food was absolutely delicious. Home made Barbacoa (a delicious Mexican restaurant) Pork Burritos, desserts galore, chips and dip, crackers and cheese and lemonade filled our hungry tummies. I met Zach's friends, family and caught up with other friends from college.
While at Zach's house, sitting under a big shady tree, reminiscing about
college stories and laughing with my wonderful friends, I felt I could
sit under that tree forever. Surrounded by people I love, good food, without a care in the world, it was absolute bliss. I logged this memory as one of the best. My friends lives and
mine are rapidly changing right now as most of us are preparing for
missions. The thought of not seeing these beautiful people for years
tugged at my heart strings. But then I realized, these good ol' times
were now. The good ol' times we had in college are in the past. But the
ones we have when we all go back to school are waiting in our futures.
It gave me comfort knowing that even though our lives were rapidly
changing, the ties of friendship and love between all of us hadn't
changed. We returned to the crazy, immature hyper dynamic that existed
between all of us during college. I have a feeling that's how it will
always be.
After the party, Steven, Marie and I all went to the local LDS Temple in Zach's hometown. We had never been to that Temple specifically, so we walked around taking pictures and thinking about how we were all going to enter the Temple in the future. The Spirit was so incredibly strong and I couldn't think of a better place to be than walking around the Temple with two amazing friends.
I walked away from this experience with a bigger perspective of spending time with those we love. Even though we want it to last forever, it won't in this life. People go on missions, go to school, get married, have kids, start careers and move around while exploring this beautiful earth. But I'm grateful that in the next life I will be with my friends again. There is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that, when summed up, states that the acquaintances we have on earth will exist in Heaven. I truly valued the time I got to spend with my friends today. And the thought of being able to be with the family and friends I love for eternity.... priceless.
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