6 Years In The Making

Did you know I spent a couple years in Southern California? In Riverside, to be exact. Around this time the tv show The OC was popular which meant that the 909 was infamous for being that shady area of Orange County, also known as the Inland Empire. During my two years there, studying Honors Neuroscience at UC Riverside, I became a Bro and Bro Ho expert and learned how much I didn't want to be a neurosurgeon.

First week of school - Thomas in the back, obviously

Before classes started and the first week of moving into the dorms, I met a boy. Pretty, typical if you ask me.

I had seen him around during Honor's week a month earlier but my neighbor and future friend introduced us once we finally moved in. We immediately hit it off and quickly became known as a duo. Not a couple, a duo. We had regular movie nights, went through rush together, parties, events, this and that... he was one of my best friends. There are more than a few nights that I can remember calling him up because something bad, usually a break up and he would sit by me until I cried it all out or stuffed myself on the ice cream he brought. He wasn't gay. He wasn't ugly, the girls loved him in fact. But he was my best friend. My Thomas.

Our second year of school, towards then end, he started dating a girl he worked with outside of school. At first I was grateful because at one point he dated/dumped a sorority sister and I was forced to choose sides. I picked his. Let me tell you, it was ugly. But his new girlfriend wasn't fond of me. Like typical friendships, we grew apart. I eventually moved back to San Francisco to study advertising and he stayed in Riverside.

Thomas and I for my semi formal

However, all this time, we have kept in touch. Text and calls on all birthdays. Facebook messages and emails to say hello. And now, nearly 6 years since we first met, a reunion.

Early September I am flying to San Diego for my cousin's wedding. I have no doubt in my mind that the wedding will be exquisite and an absolute party. Truthfully, I cannot wait to spend time with Thomas. It will be fun to see how we have changed...  or how much we have stayed the same. He will always be my Thomas and one of my best friends but I'm not that little girl that went off to Riverside anymore. (Thank goodness for that!) I am afraid that my memory will be ruined by reality. The good news is, if we could put up with each other then... there is a high chance we can be friends for life.

But I'm still nervous. :-)