“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves” – Unknown
If you are my friend on Facebook then you probably have seen that quote recently put up by me recently. I just happen to see it on Twitter, I can’t remember from who, but it was something that I resonated in my heart. The reason because yesterday I was the lucky to be part of a great event, the celebration of the joining of Mr. Henry Tran and Mrs. Christine Nguyen in holy matrimony. The event was a great not only in the fact to celebrate the joining of two great people, but I was able to see and catch up with old friends.
The reception was one of the finest I have been to. You could tell from when you walked into the venue (the newly remodeled Happy Garden that has not even opened yet but got a special permit just for the event) that all the small details were thought of and a lot of time and care went into the planning. From the photography section up front, red carpet style, to the seat designations, menu and photography crew. The bride’s family is very musically talented with mother, father and daughter aka bride all performing rousing numbers.
Besides the great food, jokes and planning, the most important part is that it seemed like the bride and groom were generally having a great time and not stressing. That is one of the worst and saddest things to see at a wedding when the people who should be experiencing one of the best days of their lives is frustrated or upset about anything. Thankfully it looked like there was none of that, so kudos to the planning, helpers and wedding party to helping keep things smooth.
So with everything going smoothly, but what else can make it better then be surrounded by those who have been a part of your life. I had the pleasure of catching up and seeing people that I have known for over 10 years with some that I haven’t seen for well over 5 years. As you get older and times move on, everyone changes and grows up. I think I always grew up faster then the normal guy and as I grew older, working and making way up through the corporate ladder I forgot about what helped make me the person I am. The quote is 100% true in that the friends you keep and the people you choose to surround yourself with are your family. No one is forcing you to keep certain friends or company so you should be surrounded by those that make your life better right?
Yesterday I realized I chose some great people to help make me the person I am today. People that took me in and treated me like “family”. People that I haven’t seen in years and it seemed like it was yesterday that we hung out. I always used that as a measuring stick for judging how compatible and great someone is. If you can not see someone for weeks, months, years and catch up as if it was 2 days ago. I had a lot of that yesterday. The ability to hug, high-five and just talk to people that help make my life enjoyable.
I know that a lot of times I am not the best person in terms of keeping in touch and contact. And most people know that and understand that part of me. But after yesterday it made me realize even more so that we are not getting any younger and time is flying even faster. Folks have kids, marriages, mortgages. But in a time of celebration it was great to come together and enjoy ourselves just like the old days. I look forward to seeing more people more frequently, hopefully not just at large events, and helping eachother grow even more. I think I have to plan a trip to Merced now and more baby-sitting may be in my future lol.
Apologies for my randomness and non-direction, but you should expect that from me by now.
