The Glorious Ascent: Mandate #2

Friends First.

My mother, upon learning of my breakup (sorry if I've never mentioned it before), said, "Think how lucky you are to have so many friends. I've never met anyone who has more good friends than you do." And how. I knew it all along, but the last few months have reminded me—in a concrete, overwhelming way—just how lucky I am. Yesterday I sat and talked with one of my favorite people on earth for about two hours, sitting outside Java Jack's enjoying the sunshine and coffee, and I could hardly believe my good fortune. And that's just one moment of many since the dark days of winter. In fact, I arranged all my friends' initials randomly (even though some repeat), and came up with this many letters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

I aim to spend the next years of my life trying to be as good a friend to all of you as you have been to me. I can't wait to have you over for dinner and drinks and conversation, often and forever, not simply to repay the many kindnesses you have shown me throughout my annus horribilis, but because my life is as fun as it is because of the smart, quirky, talented people I count as friends.