Happy Birthday, Bro.

What a lovely day it was. Today I got to see a best friend, brother of mine. Brother-best friend. The most appropriate term.

I love how we tend to take those close friends and make them family.

I guess, after all, we’re just looking to extend/have family.

It was his birthday, he’s in town from Washington, DC. He and his girlfriend, Kara. To be honest, I like her a lot. We’ve only met on two occasions now, five years apart, but, each time I am extremely pleased. Sadly, (I hope she never reads this) I don’t know that he’s too hot on her. I guess much happens in the 5 years between our interactions with one another, she and I.

But tonight, we all enjoyed each other's company. It was me, Bridget (my girlfriend), Adolphus, Kara, RJ, and Matt. We had someone flake on us, Roi. This man consistently flakes. I wonder what that process is for him, flaking.

Anyway, it turned out okay. Great food, very poor service. I let it get to me. I did, I am trying not to let external things adjust my inner orientations. However, even though brief, sometimes they do.

I wanted things to go smoothly.

Much of RJ and my relationship has been that of big brother, little brother. So tonight, I wanted to repay the favor. I have many reasons to repay the favor as there were many favors.

I would often run into financial trouble while in school. On every turn, RJ was right there offering his support without ever mentioning “pay me back when…” Of course, I did. But, he extended his hand, his heart, my way in many small ways and I will never, could never forget that. Among the many other things a big brother provides a little one.

So tonight, on his bday, ironically in my city for his girlfriend’s brother’s wedding, I got a small chance to repay him. To get a few of his friends, some new ones too, together to celebrate him.

After dinner, we went down the street to a bar at the suggestion of Matt. Employees Only.

I used to work at Employees Only. And if I’m being precise I used to volunteer there for their resident chef, Stacy Bareng. I would cook with her. I was a terrible cook. So she would mostly do double the work because she was teaching me and I was likely just getting in her way.

Anyway, she happened to be at Employees Only tonight, her and another guy, Chris, who runs the place. They both came to the table, said hello. Both damn near close to perfect reunions. We were sent shots. Most of us couldn’t take the entire shot as we had already ordered drinks. Not that kind of a Thursday for us. We drank our drinks, talked to Chris a bit. Asked for the check at the end of the night, but no check was ever given.

We left, dropped off the honored couple at their hotel, and went home.

I must say, I appreciate Bridget for making the evening happen. Without her, I am not present tonight. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to make tonight happen.

God is good. Because I choose it to be.

Goodnight.