Greatful Gratefulness

Yes, yes, I know it's spelled greatly, not greatful. But that doesn't flow as nicely with gratefulness, and so here we are.

I have many things in my life to be grateful for, but today I want to extend my appreciation to my network of friends.

First and foremost, I have my best friend Kris. Fun, funny, lovable, loving, etc, etc. There are so many things that I could say about her and how wonderful she is, but I'll keep it succinct with: There is no one else in my life that I appreciate as much as her.

Now, in no other particular ranking, I would like to offer up my list of people with whom I particularly enjoy spending time.

Phil and Jason: Two very entertaining, always-keep-me-on-my-toes people. So much fun to hang out with that we did it on the 12th, 16th, 17th, 19th, and the 25th. That's a lot of hanging, and I've yet to get the point where I say, "Okay guys, thanks for coming... I'm getting sleepy." Drinking, singing, Rockbanding, Guitar Heroing, cards, slots, dinner, The Office... they're just awesome people. Thanks, Gusby, for letting them into our lives... now, could you ask Jay not to beat the everliving hell out of my drum set? Thanks!

Steve and Becka: Neighbors from Blaine... he's a mechanic, she's a personal trainer. Pot-smoking, beer-brewing Steve "Swantanamo Bay" Swanson and his wife have been severely enjoyable to hang with since our first spring in the Blaine house. Bonfires, dinners, poker, hosting parties, vacations... There isn't a whole lot that I wouldn't consider doing with these two at my side. Of course, it helps that they have two children, the same age and grade as my child(ren)... and it helps even more that the kids get along pretty well. You've done yourself proud with them, Gusby... take a bow.

Jen and James (Jimmah!): The meeting of these two phenomenal people is actually a slightly interesting story. The four of us all worked at Capella. Kris and Jen knew each other in passing. They smoked together sometimes. Kris complained about all the time I spent playing video games. Jen reciprocated. They joked that they needed to introduce James and myself. They found out that we were playing the same video game, and decided to schedule a blind date for us. It's been "just the tip" man-boy closeness ever since. It's been near to seven years now that we've been friends, and it's been some of the most enjoyable years of my life. Even though we only get together as a foursome every few months, Jen and Kris speak almost daily, as do James and I... and without his advice, support and "Dude... you fucked up" speeches, my life would have taken a drastically different (and highly less enjoyable) direction.

Sean and Lindy: Ahh, my brother and his wife. The two people that I see perhaps even more often than Phil and Jason, and enjoy immensely. I didn't get along with Sean until... well, until Lindy. Once he started dating her, he started bringing me to parties. Parties where I was introduced to the limits of my drinking and smoking capabilities, and where I should have learned not to combine the two. (I didn't learn that lesson until one night when James had to straddle me to take a leak, because I was passed out/dead on the bathroom floor.) These two have been my constant friends since I was 14, and I am truly, truly grateful that they have not only accepted my choice of wife so readily, but are genuinely fond of spending time with her. See, if it were up to us guys, we'd get together for drinks about every other month. The girls, though, they plan things for us. Dinners, bonfires, and general hanging. That the two of them have become so close is a boon and a blessing. (Except when I learn things about my brother that I just really shouldn't... Wow.)

My parents: We don't hang out anymore, per se, since I moved out... but we do dinner damn near every week, to see each other, catch up on family news, and just spend time together. I didn't realize until S&L moved to Texas (and subsequently moved back) just how important my family was to me. Now, eight days without having gone out to dinner with my folks just seems wrong and ghastly. For all of the support, friendship, advice, shoulders, backs... I could not have asked for better parents.

Gusby: Yes, Gusby is someone I consider to be a fantastic friend. All of the lessons learned, obstacles overcome, gifts and rewards... I would not be who I am without that influence, and I love it. If you'll have me... I'll be your friend too. Even G/U/SB/Y needs someone to lean on sometimes... and Kris tells me that I'm comfortable no matter how you lay on me... so my shoulder should work just fine, if you ever need it.