Friends

I was a little tired last night and content with staying in but caved to the pressures from Natalie and Collin. Heidi and her sister met us. Chris (off at 10:30) was called out to an accident scene at 10:26 so was rather late meeting up with us. I was tired and kinda cranky (hope it didn't show) and felt like I was a total bore UNTIL I was asked by Collin to casually get up and walk away from the booth so I could see someone. While pretending to walk with a mission of not looking at this person, I notice a guy looking at me walking backwards in front of me. I don't see who it is at first because I am looking towards the group Collin asked me to check out. When I was forced to turn and look straight so I would not run into this person, a column, barstool or some other random object in Red Star, my eyes focus on Chris N! My very bestest (guy) friend from school. I say (guy) because we used to differentiate that way. He is my Forest in the Forest/ Jenny combo or Peas to Peas/ Carrots combo. I have not seen him in a little over a year. I hug his neck boa constrictor like for a long second, an enormous smile on my face, I tell him how absolutely wonderful it is to see him. He and his wife are Executive Chefs and have a baby. Their time away from home is VERY limited other than the respective kitchens they call home away from home. I never get to see him unless I go to his restaurant for dinner (not too often). I asked for him while out for a business dinner on a Friday a while back, turns out he is off on Fridays (wtf?)! We spent a few minutes catching up, asking about mutual friends, parents (his are in poor health and I am sad for him), looking a baby pictures (his), and laughing. I was very happy to introduce him to Chris. The few times Chris and I have been to his restaurant, we have not seen him. My Chris has heard about Chris N. for a long time so I am sure it was nice to put a face with the name. The memories are flooding my mind and this could turn out to be the longest post ever, I must refrain. I love that boy!!! Reasons why are too many to count or share, but here are a few:
His laugh, it is contagious
He is always smiling
He forced me to listen to Metallica on the way to school (thanks for the rides btw)
We can always pick up where left off
He stayed up with me until the sun came up the night of my LSU graduation party talking as if it would be the end of our youthful friendship (I will never forget that night and the talks that night - it was like wake up! we are in the real world now! but wait, what is the real world? I don't want to go there!!!!)
His relationship with his parents is beautiful and the way he cares for them and did when we were younger.
Doing physics homework, me trying to tutor so he would graduate. ummmm, why me? LOL.
Watching movies together, he is the biggest movie fan and has the largest collection I have ever seen.
I must stop now. Seriously could turn into a silly long post. I think you all get the picture. He is very special to me and it was so great to see him.

Side note to Collin: Sorry if I was rude, I had not seen Chris N in a while and was over-joyed and relishing every moment of it while he was there. I agree with Chris statement to you last night. I walk past that house while walking the lakes and think wtf?