Gregg? Gregg, is that you?
I had been walking across the parking lot at a Schnuck's grocery store when I heard the voice behind me. I hadn't even noticed anyone was near me...or at least hadn't been paying attention, my mind already on the rehearsal I was heading to for our upcoming production of "Annie."
I turned to find a friend standing there that I hadn't seen since college. For anyone trying to do the math, that was 20 years ago!
Now, there are college friends and there are college friends. Naturally, there is probably a group of people you saw every day, and then another group of people that you "hung out" with, and then yet another group of people that were your closest friends - your "go to" people if there was something to do, or help that was needed.
If you are like me, you probably couldn't necessarily write down the first AND last names of many of those people. Then there are the friends that you will never forget (perhaps even their whole names), and those that you still think about on a frequent basis. Perhaps even friends that you had no secrets from. I ultimately had two friends in this last category, and the person standing in front of me was one of those people!
I was astounded.
I couldn't have been more surprised than if I had lost luggage in Bora Bora a decade ago and it was suddenly returned to me...and this was TWO decades. Now, I'm not attempting to make some lame attempt at comparing a real live person with lost luggage, just the surprise factor, OK? No nasty emails!
I met this particular friend during my first semester as a freshman in college. We lived in the same dorm, though I don't remember the particulars on how we actually met. She was popular, outgoing, pretty, vivacious, and extroverted...in short, the complete opposite of me except for that "pretty" thing. I'm a cutie-pa-tootie, don't let anyone tell you differently! There is no reason why we should have ever really met, given these differences, except that we did meet and somehow became close friends in a short period of time. I was always amazed that she picked ME as a friend, given all that I mentioned above.
As college went on she became one of those kinds of friends you could confide in - all of your worries and dreams, problems and triumphs. She was one of those people that made the tough parts during college tolerable, and the fun parts even MORE fun. Even when she ended up moving to a different school and a different town, we stayed in close contact, writing letters and talking on the phone nearly every weekend. I'd be disappointed if we couldn't get in touch with each other some week! Remember, this was in those ancient days before email, voice over IP, and cellphones. Even answering machines were rare! Also, long distance really added up. Remember long distance?
Eventually, we each graduated from college. Again, like many people, I didn't stay in touch with any of my college friends. There was no "cutting the cord" or anything like that, it's just that everyone was busy starting a new life with jobs, careers, marriage, kids etc. In particular, for the non-extrovert like me, keeping in touch with people outside of my wife and kids never really worked into my daily task list.
I still can't explain why it is I have a blog, given this whole introvert thing! Weird.
While talking, we found out that we actually live nearby each other and have probably crossed paths THOUSANDS of times in the past 20 years. We also learned a little bit about each other's families (she probably learned more about mine, given that she's the extrovert and I'm not, and she did more of the questioning!). I met her son, too. It was really nice talking to her, again. As we parted, we each mentioned that we hoped we'd run into each other again and that was that.
I continued on to my rehearsal, found my wife and excitedly told her about who I had run into at Schnucks.
It was at that point that I realized I hadn't exchanged any contact information with my friend. I can be such a dolt! No wonder I haven't kept up with anyone. I briefly considered going back to the store and giving her my number, or some way to contact me, but didn't actually act on it. I was already feeling a bit of regret about that, so when my daughters both wanted drinks for the rehearsal, I took that as a sign I should go back.
So, my oldest daughter and I headed back to Schnucks and got the drinks, then looked for my friend. She was nowhere to be found. I realized I was a disappointed. If there was one friend from college days I wished I had kept track of, it was her.
Bummer. Big bummer.
Then, I saw her in the checkout line, with her son. Success! We traded our information and went back on our ways. I felt good about it, too. In fact, it pretty much made my day. For once I did the "right" thing when it came to people, instead of letting shyness take over!
I mentioned earlier that there were two people in college that fit into this close friend definition of mine. You are probably wondering about that other friend, right? Well, I met the second friend a bit later in my college days, but I did a little bit better of a job keeping up with this second friend. In fact, we talk every single day.
I married her.
Life is good!
I had been walking across the parking lot at a Schnuck's grocery store when I heard the voice behind me. I hadn't even noticed anyone was near me...or at least hadn't been paying attention, my mind already on the rehearsal I was heading to for our upcoming production of "Annie."
I turned to find a friend standing there that I hadn't seen since college. For anyone trying to do the math, that was 20 years ago!
Now, there are college friends and there are college friends. Naturally, there is probably a group of people you saw every day, and then another group of people that you "hung out" with, and then yet another group of people that were your closest friends - your "go to" people if there was something to do, or help that was needed.
If you are like me, you probably couldn't necessarily write down the first AND last names of many of those people. Then there are the friends that you will never forget (perhaps even their whole names), and those that you still think about on a frequent basis. Perhaps even friends that you had no secrets from. I ultimately had two friends in this last category, and the person standing in front of me was one of those people!
I was astounded.
I couldn't have been more surprised than if I had lost luggage in Bora Bora a decade ago and it was suddenly returned to me...and this was TWO decades. Now, I'm not attempting to make some lame attempt at comparing a real live person with lost luggage, just the surprise factor, OK? No nasty emails!
I met this particular friend during my first semester as a freshman in college. We lived in the same dorm, though I don't remember the particulars on how we actually met. She was popular, outgoing, pretty, vivacious, and extroverted...in short, the complete opposite of me except for that "pretty" thing. I'm a cutie-pa-tootie, don't let anyone tell you differently! There is no reason why we should have ever really met, given these differences, except that we did meet and somehow became close friends in a short period of time. I was always amazed that she picked ME as a friend, given all that I mentioned above.
As college went on she became one of those kinds of friends you could confide in - all of your worries and dreams, problems and triumphs. She was one of those people that made the tough parts during college tolerable, and the fun parts even MORE fun. Even when she ended up moving to a different school and a different town, we stayed in close contact, writing letters and talking on the phone nearly every weekend. I'd be disappointed if we couldn't get in touch with each other some week! Remember, this was in those ancient days before email, voice over IP, and cellphones. Even answering machines were rare! Also, long distance really added up. Remember long distance?
Eventually, we each graduated from college. Again, like many people, I didn't stay in touch with any of my college friends. There was no "cutting the cord" or anything like that, it's just that everyone was busy starting a new life with jobs, careers, marriage, kids etc. In particular, for the non-extrovert like me, keeping in touch with people outside of my wife and kids never really worked into my daily task list.
I still can't explain why it is I have a blog, given this whole introvert thing! Weird.
While talking, we found out that we actually live nearby each other and have probably crossed paths THOUSANDS of times in the past 20 years. We also learned a little bit about each other's families (she probably learned more about mine, given that she's the extrovert and I'm not, and she did more of the questioning!). I met her son, too. It was really nice talking to her, again. As we parted, we each mentioned that we hoped we'd run into each other again and that was that.
I continued on to my rehearsal, found my wife and excitedly told her about who I had run into at Schnucks.
It was at that point that I realized I hadn't exchanged any contact information with my friend. I can be such a dolt! No wonder I haven't kept up with anyone. I briefly considered going back to the store and giving her my number, or some way to contact me, but didn't actually act on it. I was already feeling a bit of regret about that, so when my daughters both wanted drinks for the rehearsal, I took that as a sign I should go back.
So, my oldest daughter and I headed back to Schnucks and got the drinks, then looked for my friend. She was nowhere to be found. I realized I was a disappointed. If there was one friend from college days I wished I had kept track of, it was her.
Bummer. Big bummer.
Then, I saw her in the checkout line, with her son. Success! We traded our information and went back on our ways. I felt good about it, too. In fact, it pretty much made my day. For once I did the "right" thing when it came to people, instead of letting shyness take over!
I mentioned earlier that there were two people in college that fit into this close friend definition of mine. You are probably wondering about that other friend, right? Well, I met the second friend a bit later in my college days, but I did a little bit better of a job keeping up with this second friend. In fact, we talk every single day.
I married her.
Life is good!
Random Schnucks run ins? Welcome to St. Louis!
Posted by: Carrie | September 01, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Great story telling! I love it!!!!!
Posted by: Deb | September 02, 2009 at 07:53 PM
End is really cute...
you are good. so is life.
Posted by: Nikhil | September 10, 2009 at 03:31 AM