Nineteen Ninety Four

In 1994, I was an 18-year old virgin (Hi…Mom) preparing for one of the most important transitions of my life. College. While I expected to learn a lot of new things and meet new people, I never suspected that through what seemed to be meaningless encounters would develop one of the strongest support systems I’ve ever known.

This, my faithful bloggaronis [blog-guh-row-nees], is when the dragon and I first met. What seemed to be a chance meeting (while he was supposed to be in another girl’s dorm room) has turned into twelve of the longest years of my life…but I digress…

At the time, we had very distinct circles. His friends were his friends and mine belonged only to me. Yet, over the years, as he and I played our childish games with one another—we began to intermingle in each other’s circle— participating in sort of a “crossing over” of unspoken boundaries. With the emergence of this new trend, I had friends who began feeling comfortable talking to him about private matters—and likewise on my part.

Almost thirteen years later, we have established a bond with each other and our friends—oops “family” that supersedes any legal or biological definition. Much like a plant, our circle continues to grow as we nurture each relationship with what it needs the most— acceptance, patience, understanding, and love. In a very small way, for me, the circle began with four. And now the circle includes—the dragon and I, his brother, his mother, his aunts, his grandmother, his uncle, his father, his sister, both of his best friends from Jersey and their child/boyfriend, paz, his girlfriend, his daughter, his mother, her girlfriend, his brother, his sister and her family, my parents, my grandmother, my aunts, my best friends back at home, and our friendships from college and their families, etc. (I could go on and on…but I don’t want to lose you in the specifics)

The point is that, inadvertently, we have created a family all our own. People whom before 1994 weren't important to us. And now, we couldn't imagine living without. People capable of letting you cry, talk in circles, or sit in silence—and expose the core of your hurt and all your fears…and still give you the safe feeling of a maternal bosom. (don't laugh...I'm being poetic).

I said all of this to say that I truly love all of you. My Chicago family, my Atlanta family, My Jersey family, My Denver family, My Connecticut family,My CAU family and now...our blog family. The late night talks, the arguments, the bowling adventures, the New Year's Eve celebrations, the trips to restaurants, the after-parties, the games, etc. Have always meant a lot to me. And I never really realized how much until I received a phone call from one of those "cross-over" friends from the Dragon's circle a few moments ago.

So, Dragon you're right. So many times, you've tried to point out how many people are affected by "us"...and today...I realize you might be on to something...