I needed to read this, to remind myself that we are all people and old friends should be kept besides politics. Lance is very special. I think you kept the best one.
This one made my heart hurt? I had a Lance, except his name was Lenny. I met him at the grocery store while I was trying to wrestle my child into obedience in the produce isle. I was 22 and he was 18 and working his way through college. We were friends until he passed away from Covid related heart disease at the age of 62. He didn’t come out until he was 45, although everyone he knew already assumed he was gay. He waited until his mother passed away to go public. He was always there to encourage and listen and I hope I did the same for him. My life has a hole in it that no one can fill because he was a friend of my heart. I can still hear his amazing, boisterous laugh in my head whenever I think of him. Friends like your Lance and my Lenny don’t come around often. Treasure him.
Nice read, but now I am wondering about the handful of friends who have not returned my Happy New Year texts... I guess we just move forward with the friends we keep.
This is sweet. Lance reminds me how my husband of 28 years, whom I met in college, will know someone anywhere in the world! Never met a stranger. I love the messages Lance leaves for you. There is value in being able to picking up where you left off with old friends. My sister lived in Haight-Ashbury in the 90’s too. I didn’t love it. 😅
The last 5 years have shown me unfortunately that while I thought I had a huge group of friends, I in fact only have 1 real friend. (Luckily I have also an amazing supportive husband). Now I must treasure her, my one true friend, more than ever as we don’t judge each other, we just support each other no matter what. Thanks for this read, it made me tear up thinking about all the ‘friends’ I have lost and how I will go forward in life starting to try to be brave. To not let the trauma of losing them all for being myself, to deter me from being myself. You are so brave and I am glad you have someone sane like Lance who loves you.
What an incredible testament to a lifelong friendship. I absolutely loved reading this; your description of Lance is so spot on. Kudos to you both for being true to your values. And happy birthday Lance!
What a beautiful story of true friendship. Happy Birthday to your dear friend- Lance. It’s so cool that people can connect with their hearts despite differences and life challenges and you Jen are willing to share this with us.
Thank you, Jen. I love you to the end of the earth. Always will.
And beyond,
What a beautiful ode to friendship, and to you Lance!
I needed to read this, to remind myself that we are all people and old friends should be kept besides politics. Lance is very special. I think you kept the best one.
for sure did.
This one made my heart hurt? I had a Lance, except his name was Lenny. I met him at the grocery store while I was trying to wrestle my child into obedience in the produce isle. I was 22 and he was 18 and working his way through college. We were friends until he passed away from Covid related heart disease at the age of 62. He didn’t come out until he was 45, although everyone he knew already assumed he was gay. He waited until his mother passed away to go public. He was always there to encourage and listen and I hope I did the same for him. My life has a hole in it that no one can fill because he was a friend of my heart. I can still hear his amazing, boisterous laugh in my head whenever I think of him. Friends like your Lance and my Lenny don’t come around often. Treasure him.
So nice to have friends that dont judge and just accept you & have fun. That is how friendship should be.
I always tell people, I don't have any "perfect people" who are my friends, and that is alright.
That was very sweet. It brightened my day. Thank you for sharing.
This is what friendship looks like. Happy birthday Lance and thanks for sharing him with the world. 💕🎂🎉
Nice read, but now I am wondering about the handful of friends who have not returned my Happy New Year texts... I guess we just move forward with the friends we keep.
As you should.
Not returning NYE texts? Same experience. I have stopped sending them out.
NYE texts have gone to the same extinction as Christmas cards.
Decoder ring time:
"What is FLI? I have no idea."
First generation (to go to college) / low income
"futsal"
Indoor soccer (for those like me who had to google it ...)
I should have googled FLI
Nah, it read cooler as you wrote it :)
I'm just here to do cleanup ...
I will take one true friend over 100 semi-friends any day! Love this tribute to your BFF. Happy birthday, Lance! 🎉
A
This is quintessential Jen. Happy she has a Lance in her life. This matters.
This is sweet. Lance reminds me how my husband of 28 years, whom I met in college, will know someone anywhere in the world! Never met a stranger. I love the messages Lance leaves for you. There is value in being able to picking up where you left off with old friends. My sister lived in Haight-Ashbury in the 90’s too. I didn’t love it. 😅
The last 5 years have shown me unfortunately that while I thought I had a huge group of friends, I in fact only have 1 real friend. (Luckily I have also an amazing supportive husband). Now I must treasure her, my one true friend, more than ever as we don’t judge each other, we just support each other no matter what. Thanks for this read, it made me tear up thinking about all the ‘friends’ I have lost and how I will go forward in life starting to try to be brave. To not let the trauma of losing them all for being myself, to deter me from being myself. You are so brave and I am glad you have someone sane like Lance who loves you.
I had to look up Futsal and FTL. At 76, I have few friends left. Luckily, I have a large family.
Happy Birthday to Lance im glad you have someone like lance in your life. Cant find many people like him 😍
What an incredible testament to a lifelong friendship. I absolutely loved reading this; your description of Lance is so spot on. Kudos to you both for being true to your values. And happy birthday Lance!
What a beautiful story of true friendship. Happy Birthday to your dear friend- Lance. It’s so cool that people can connect with their hearts despite differences and life challenges and you Jen are willing to share this with us.