I think it's rare to say that you have never been mad at or had a disagreement with someone ever (By saying this I might be jinxing our friendship). In the ten years that I have known this guy, I can say that I have never been mad at him. He is one of the most reliable humans I have ever met.
Sweets, this one is for you. (Yes, his nickname is after Lance Sweets from Bones. Can't you see the resemblance?).
I remember how we met. A shity, rainy water polo game at El Toro high school. Lunchbox (I can't remember why that was my ex's nickname but that's what we called him) had been trying to get my attention while I kept score of the boys Varsity Game. Like many of the other boys I knew from El Toro, Sweets was confused as to why I settled for such a douche bag of human. I remember Sweets was dressed in combat boots, khaki cargo shorts, a navy blue windbreaker and shaved head under a black beanie. The picturesque of a modern-day neo-nazi from 'American History X' but Sweets I was far from that. He is open-minded, witty as all hell, and kind. Honestly, I wish I could recall the conversation that led to him giving me a foot rub that night but all I can remember is that my converse were soaking wet. That foot rub sealed his fate. He was stuck with me.
That was the start of night drives to the park by his house and long talks about everything and nothing. He kept in touch even when I was wandering around Australia for two years. Never missed a going away party or a birthday.
He was one of the reasons I spent my 21st birthday at home instead of out at the bars. I wanted to be surrounded by people who loved me, rather than wasted.
Most importantly, on my worst days, Sweets made sure I didn't feel like a burden. He holds me accountable and reminds me that other people's opinions of me are not necessarily true. In their world, sure. In my world, only I can create myself. Sweets builds me up when I can't figure out how to put my pieces back together. He serenades me with 1D and Michelle Branch.
Sweets is one of the few friends who has accompanied me to the ER and made sure I laughed extra hard. PokemonGo and ER? Sure.
To this day he has been a constant in my life. No matter how busy or crazy his life gets, there is always room for me. If you are reading this, look for the constants in your life. Look for the friend, the relative, the teacher, the coach or even the service worker who always acknowledges that you matter. There are people around you who look busy but I promise you if you ask they will make room for you.
Sweets has found ways to be there for me without needing to be physically next to me. On several occasions, he has picked me, one of his best female friends, over his girlfriend. If that's not making room for your best friend, I don't know what is.
Sweets is a constant reminder that life is worth living. That is why I keep living. Because I am loved. Because I love him too much to let him live a life without me.
