D.A.D. - A Reflection

i really love my friends.
we have done seemingly everything together, if not as a whole group, then as fragments of the group. we've gone grunion-running (failed attempt, no less fun), partied in Vegas, recorded original or covered songs, played at various amusement parks, made the white people stare in Arizona, rode a party bus to Hollywood, trespassed private properties, accompanied each other to potentially boring/awkward/rapist situations, discussed life at the top-of-the-world, discussed life everywhere else, aimless drives, countless shows, sleepovers like brothers and sisters and soulmates and spooners, and the list goes on for days.
we took our experiences to yet another level this past week. about 18 of us were present for Mrs. Honrado's funeral service. that's a fairly large number considering the fact that it was 1PM on a Tuesday, when most people would be at work or school. i know for a fact that at least 4 or 5 of us did skip work to be there. i also know that a lot of people really couldn't make it, but they were very well aware of everything that was happening and sent their deepest condolences and prayers. it was naturally a very sad afternoon, yet i couldn't help but feel uplifted by the love of my friends. we truly, truly from the depth of our hearts, care for each other. even though we all bicker at times, a little drama here and there, bruised egos and whatnot, we will still be there for each other at the end of the day.

i have always felt that this family we have here is unlike 99% of any other (beyond the fact that there's like 50 of us, and we'd go everywhere together). when we all started hanging out 3 years ago, we were immediately drawn to each others' personalities and interests. we would hang out every single night of the summer, and every single weekend when it wasn't summer. oh, the plans we made and the adventures we had. we always tried to outdo our previous events and added little twists to the nightly fun. remember Cage Match night? ha, that was the night i fell and left my knee with a heart-shaped scab (which i ended up showing EVERYONE because i thought it was so cool, and also because i was drunk). that seriously feels like 10 years ago.
there were the people who came and went, friends of friends, but we would always maintain a very large and amazing group in and of ourselves. there was no place we could go where we didn't demand the attention of the entire room/vicinity. the sad thing was, we all predicted that it wouldn't last. nothing this good could ever be forever. i'm really not sure if we were right or wrong, although i must say, it is quite rare to get the entire group together nowadays. now, it has to take a birthday or a big party or something really special to get everyone's attention. back in the day, one person would call you to go to someone's house, and when you showed up, everyone else would be there too. it wouldn't take anything more.
times have changed, but no one is to blame. we've all grown 3 years older and now we have more priorities that trump hanging out. people naturally and inevitably drift apart. we've also divided into different cliques, some very natural, and others intentional. people have shown their true colors, and we are no longer innocent. it is now time to stick to those we feel the closest to, because the others would be elsewhere. but looking past all of that, i believe we still love one another like brothers and sisters, even if there is division. maybe some people are just step-brothers and step-sisters :)

i guess what i have to say is, even though we don't spend time all together as often as we used to, we are still a happy family. the love and support within this group is and always will be the glue that holds us together, even when we are apart. i really miss the old days when we were still innocent, still oblivious to the fact that certain people would just not get along with each other, or that a "family member" could betray you (even after all the time, heart, and money you'd invested in your friendship). i miss the days when we'd just get intoxicated all the time, all the while knowing that we weren't really there for the alcohol. simpler days are behind us. we're still doing good.

3 years.
and hopefully many, many more.
i can't wait for the weddings, babies, first homes, and other milestones in the years ahead.
<3