Tuesday, April 18, 2006
How Did I Miss That?
Somehow this past Friday I missed the chance to toast my longest and perhaps best friend at his rehearsal dinner.
It started to sink in Saturday while I was standing beside his bride at the altar-of-love when I realized what a big mistake not toasting was.
The reality of the thing is that Winston and my relationship has changed a number of times over the years, so I'm not really emotional about the whole "will it be the same" question, but I should have a lot to say about where he's come from and where I see him going.
I'd like to apologize for not getting my head in the game on Friday and pulling this together, but I thought I'd give it a shot here on my blog.
Winston and I met at Prestonwood in HS although neither of us really remembers talking back then. It wasn't until we spent a weekend during our freshman year in College Station (which was weird because we both went to Baylor) that we became friends. I think we probably had 2 or 3 classes together that year, and realized that we were some of the only ones serious about learning anything.
I also realized that he had an enormous bulge in his pants that was irresistible!
We were great friends and roommates all through college, although I have to admit that living with Winston definitely prepared me better than any test I could have had for living with my wife later in life (insert another gay joke here).
Seriously though, I had never come across someone so absent minded in my entire life, and I'm pretty sure that I still haven't.
One time I remember that our air conditioner (which was in the ceiling in my bathroom) was leaking water whenever it was turned on. I explained this to Winston, and I even think I put a little sign on the refrigerator to remind him. Ya know something complicated like “Don’t turn on the AC,” but one day I came home to find about 5 inches of water on the bathroom floor - flowing over the trashcan that I'd left there to catch it in just such an occasion. When I confronted Winston about it, he said in typical Winston speak "You know I do stuff like that."
Well we got passed that oh so difficult moment, managing to remain friends.
Fast forward a bit and when Laura and I got married (2000), Winston agreed to be a groomsman at my wedding and to perform a song that still means a lot to me today whenever I hear it.
We separated a bit while I lived in France, but upon our return I was happy to put aside all my water dripping memories to move in with Winston once again. Laura and I were returning from the mission field and had no idea what we were going to do in Dallas, but were grateful to be able to count on Winston for a place to stay.
We lived there for a little over a year and Winston was a great friend to me during a time when neither L nor I really had much interest in "working" for new relationships. He encouraged me and helped me plug back into a career as well as some old and new friendships for which I am extremely grateful.
All around he's been the only man-friend with whom I've maintained a meaningful and deep relationship for longer than about 2 or 3 years, which leads me to Lindsay (and . . . I realize now I'm unsure how to spell your name).
Lindsey, I was really worried that no woman would ever choose to marry Winston. After, living with him twice I was sure that W would have a hard time convincing any woman to agree to cohabitate with his forgetful ass.
Heck, I'm just surprised he never burned his own house down, or got robbed by the workers who remodeled because he NEVER locked a door. I also have a strong suspicion that if I hadn't lived there, the trash would never EVER have been taken out when you first started dating.
Winston - you owe me for that one.
So Lindsay, I'm grateful to you. Because while you two have been together, I've seen a lot of Winston's insecurities and annoying little tendencies fade away under a thick coat of happiness. I've never seen him as confident as he is now, and there is a distinct sense I get from him that suddenly he is able to accomplish the things he wants out of life in a way he never has been able to before. I attribute that to you and the powerful love that you share together.
While I don't know you very well (Lindsey), seeing the two of you in love not only makes sense, but it makes you both better, and I think that is a testament to true love.
I offer my toast to your new commitment, that you would continue to love and improve each other for years to come.
J
It started to sink in Saturday while I was standing beside his bride at the altar-of-love when I realized what a big mistake not toasting was.
The reality of the thing is that Winston and my relationship has changed a number of times over the years, so I'm not really emotional about the whole "will it be the same" question, but I should have a lot to say about where he's come from and where I see him going.
I'd like to apologize for not getting my head in the game on Friday and pulling this together, but I thought I'd give it a shot here on my blog.
Winston and I met at Prestonwood in HS although neither of us really remembers talking back then. It wasn't until we spent a weekend during our freshman year in College Station (which was weird because we both went to Baylor) that we became friends. I think we probably had 2 or 3 classes together that year, and realized that we were some of the only ones serious about learning anything.
I also realized that he had an enormous bulge in his pants that was irresistible!
We were great friends and roommates all through college, although I have to admit that living with Winston definitely prepared me better than any test I could have had for living with my wife later in life (insert another gay joke here).
Seriously though, I had never come across someone so absent minded in my entire life, and I'm pretty sure that I still haven't.
One time I remember that our air conditioner (which was in the ceiling in my bathroom) was leaking water whenever it was turned on. I explained this to Winston, and I even think I put a little sign on the refrigerator to remind him. Ya know something complicated like “Don’t turn on the AC,” but one day I came home to find about 5 inches of water on the bathroom floor - flowing over the trashcan that I'd left there to catch it in just such an occasion. When I confronted Winston about it, he said in typical Winston speak "You know I do stuff like that."
Well we got passed that oh so difficult moment, managing to remain friends.
Fast forward a bit and when Laura and I got married (2000), Winston agreed to be a groomsman at my wedding and to perform a song that still means a lot to me today whenever I hear it.
We separated a bit while I lived in France, but upon our return I was happy to put aside all my water dripping memories to move in with Winston once again. Laura and I were returning from the mission field and had no idea what we were going to do in Dallas, but were grateful to be able to count on Winston for a place to stay.
We lived there for a little over a year and Winston was a great friend to me during a time when neither L nor I really had much interest in "working" for new relationships. He encouraged me and helped me plug back into a career as well as some old and new friendships for which I am extremely grateful.
All around he's been the only man-friend with whom I've maintained a meaningful and deep relationship for longer than about 2 or 3 years, which leads me to Lindsay (and . . . I realize now I'm unsure how to spell your name).
Lindsey, I was really worried that no woman would ever choose to marry Winston. After, living with him twice I was sure that W would have a hard time convincing any woman to agree to cohabitate with his forgetful ass.
Heck, I'm just surprised he never burned his own house down, or got robbed by the workers who remodeled because he NEVER locked a door. I also have a strong suspicion that if I hadn't lived there, the trash would never EVER have been taken out when you first started dating.
Winston - you owe me for that one.
So Lindsay, I'm grateful to you. Because while you two have been together, I've seen a lot of Winston's insecurities and annoying little tendencies fade away under a thick coat of happiness. I've never seen him as confident as he is now, and there is a distinct sense I get from him that suddenly he is able to accomplish the things he wants out of life in a way he never has been able to before. I attribute that to you and the powerful love that you share together.
While I don't know you very well (Lindsey), seeing the two of you in love not only makes sense, but it makes you both better, and I think that is a testament to true love.
I offer my toast to your new commitment, that you would continue to love and improve each other for years to come.
J
