So, I woke up this morning, hoping that perhaps today would be different from the rest of the days of my life. 
Today, however, is really not a lot different than the rest.

It’s a little different, in that I have a renewed sense of purpose, and perhaps some new goals to achieve.

We all have goals, or at least we should all have goals.  Some of us have almost no ambition or drive, so therefore we have no goals or dreams.  I’m not like that, because frankly, that’s stupid and I’m certainly not stupid.  I’d like to think that I’m a pretty bright guy, and having a few goals, dreams, and aspirations reaffirms that.

Recently, I had a little bump in the long road of life.  My very best friend moved to another state, and it affected me a lot more than I’d hoped or expected it to.  I truly didn’t realize that some feelings I thought I didn’t have were still there.  As I get more used to the fact that mileage doesn’t affect the friendship and realize that she’s still just a phone call away, life gets a little easier. 

And strange things happen.  Very strange, at least to me.

It all started with a simple e-mail.  A random collection of words that reminded me of my past, and could brighten my future, and gave me just a little more faith than the none I thought I had.

She came back into my life suddenly, randomly, unexpectedly, and at what could be the most perfect time.  When I needed something positive.
She was someone I never thought I’d see again, and someone I’d almost (but not quite) forgotten about.
She was the first girl to make me realize that I wanted to be a (gasp) boyfriend. 
I don’t know if it was ever made “official”, if it was ever stated (at least to each other) that we were a couple, but I thought we were and I told my friends that we were.  I let anyone who was willing to listen (or not willing, it didn’t matter to me) that I HAD A GIRLFRIEND! 

I was 13, she was 12.  I was in love, or at least as much in love as a child of 13 could be. 

Then…

She was gone.
Our young, budding romance fell victim to the long distance between us. 
Just over 55 miles in your 30’s is a short hour’s drive. 
Just over 55 miles at 13, is an unreachable eternity.

 

And now?
Adulthood, failed marriages, children of our own, 24 years, and the same 55 or so miles, and plenty of ups and downs are part of our everyday lives, but perhaps now things will be different.
We won’t lose touch, we won’t just drift away, and with a little luck and help from G-d, we can spend the next 24 years talking about our lives during the next 24 years.

Today’s her birthday, and since I wasn’t able to get the “perfect” gift, I thought I’d write this instead.

I thought I’d just let her know how glad I am that she’s back in my life.
Hopefully, when she’s down or sad and needs a boost, she’ll read this.
…and when she does, she’ll know that she’s got a new old friend that’s always going to be around.

Happy Birthday Gena,

Rob