As many of you know, I was a music major my first year of college. To this day I enjoy listening to, playing and even writing music. Many of my best memories include hanging out with my newly formed friends in the music department that first year of school. I sometimes think back with a warm sense of nostalgia about friends like Mike, Caryn, Cindy, Chris Memoli and ,yes, even Chris "this friggin chicken's raw" Willis. In fact, many of the people I just mentioned are still in my life to a certain degree. Mike is a good friend of my childhood friend Jay Kirk, who incidentally married Caryn. All three live near each other out west. Another childhood friend, Chuck Bryan married Cindy. Sometimes, it's a very small and rather cool world.
There were other friends that year that I had a chance to spend time with. These were people whom I had known for years and practically grown up with. Besides previously mentioned- Jay Kirk and Chuck Bryan, there was also my roommate, Chris Neeley, and one of the funniest people I've ever hung out with, Todd Vick.
Todd has always been one of my favorite people because even in tough times, he's always had a smile and wise crack for me. That was true then and it's true now. Todd gave me more free beer at the Pizza Factory than I could ever drink. He later became a pastor. Interesting where life takes us. Todd and I both changed quite a bit since those days. Today, I... Well, today I would most likely still drink Todd's free beer, but you get the point.
So, tonight, I lift my 12 oz glass to many an old friend, who although may be a slightly different person today, still remains a part of my life and a good friend. Cheers.
8 comments:
A fine fine toast. Brought a twinkling tear to my eye. Peach of a guy, that Todd.
Crap! I missed out on the Free Beer gambit!?
So, how did you get out of the Music Major? I went into my second semester (when I realized that Physics was not nearly as much phun in college as it was in High School). Of course, that was were I met Cindy.
That's right. You were a semester late in the game. That was about the time that I decided not to persue my career in music. Sounds like false starts for both of us. Your change in majors also resulted in a wife. I'd say you made the correct choice!
I think it rather fortunate that I didn't meet my wife in one of my college classes. Would have been a little awkward at the Citadel reunions.
Todd's a good man. We were blessed to have such good friends, no?
Man, I am deeply touched. You're the greatest, Dook. It is interesting how life comes full circle. First I was a beer guzzler, then a pastor, now a beer guzzler again.
The next one's on me, pal. I treasure all my friends, but to this very day, no one has ever made me laugh harder than you.
I am lifting my Guinnees Draught even now...
Cheers to Todd!
It may be interesting to note that I too met my bride in a college wind ensemble. Many of us commenting on this either met in band or forged our friendships there. Good times!
"She wants me, man." Makes me a little nauseous even today. Should have made him eat the raw chicken.
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