Too Poor for Presents: Happy Birthday to a Great Friend

Some friends come and go. Some stick around, always close to home, just a few minutes away, their door always open. Others, well, others live miles and miles away, months, maybe even years passing between visits, and yet every time you reconnect, it’s as though no time has passed. These friends, while hard to come by, can be some of the most important and influential people in your life.

Now, don’t think I have no rhyme or reason for spewing sentimentality all over this blog post. Today just so happens to be the 22nd birthday of a dear friend of mine, who falls into the latter category of friends. This friend, Jake (who ironically has the same name as my boyfriend, but is not my boyfriend), is someone who I met through acts of fate. Him and I met on a partly cloudy, humid afternoon in August of 2013 when he overheard me talking about the internship I had for two summers at a local newspaper. We hit it off right away, and he gave me a business card, something no 20-year-old had ever given me, and I used to information, which lead to a beautiful friendship.

Our time together was short, and ironically came at a time when I only wished for time to speed up. I only stayed at that university for one semester, much to Jake’s chagrin. Him and I both had a mutual distaste for the area we were in and the school we were attending. We felt trapped, and as they say, misery loves company. But although we were both miserable, we found a genuine friend in each other, spending most days together, trying new recipes on Pinterest, avoiding the $5 wash-and-dry on campus, and even convincing me to keep attending SPJ meetings even though I was changing my major once I transferred. On warmer days, we’d head out on our bikes, tackling the Hoodlebug trail and the downtown area. In just four months time, we made so many amazing memories. I also know that I made a friend for life. I know one day I will see you again, and know that today, on your birthday, I am thinking about you and all the positivity you brought to my life. You helped me through some of my hardest days. When I didn’t want to leave my room, you’d take me for coffee. When I didn’t want to go to class, you would invite me for a bike ride. Without you, those four months would have dragged on for a lifetime.

So happy 22nd birthday to you, Jake. I hope that on this day, as well as every day of the year, people realize and appreciate what a wonderful and kindhearted person you are. I hope that some day I can change someone’s life, like you changed mine.

#christine #personal #happybirthday #dedicationpost