I know I'm not "old" (relatively speaking) but as I age
I become more cognizant of the value of life. The value of the lovely players on your scoreboard. The value of living and breathing each moment. These thoughts
do not consume me
yet they are ever-present:
life is a short, sweet gift. And I want my teammates in this game to know
how much they mean to me.
Enter Juan.
{In our element: rafting, Maupin, Grilling, happy. This is SO us}
I've known Juan for what feels like a lifetime but for what is really about 15 years. To make a long story short,
every single year of my life Juan and I go on a rafting trip in August comprised of Dads and "Kids". We started when I was 6 so you do the math... yes, beer is welcome at the "Kids" table.
What began as awkward "Hi, how are you?"s as we loaded into the raft quickly became a deep kinship. Every year, we drive to
Maupin, OR together and
partake in a valued 4-day trip of rafting and camaraderie. On years when we each don't bring dates: we share a tent. On years that we do, we bunk separately but spend the mornings catching up over coffee-
do you like the person in your tent? Do you think you'll date? Did you guys kiss last night? The
important questions in life.

{easily my favorite picture of us sharing a tent. That's him in his sleeping bag suit.. yes SUIT.}
Thankfully for me, this friendship has
gone off the rafting grid and made its way into my day-to-day life. Currently, Juan and I live in the same building. In the face of the owners of and their strict "no pet" policy;
I have enjoyed a pal who is always happy to see me and needs to be fed.

{Juan, Me & my bro.}
Juan is the super-friend. Says what he thinks (i.e. "Oh that's a zit? Don't worry, I only saw it when I looked at you.") yet considerate beyond belief (i.e. "Caitlin, don't get used to this but I'm so happy we're friends.") and an all-around good person. Juan is friends with my Dad and talks continual crap to my Brother. Additionally, his
Dad always treats me like family when he comes into town from Peru.
I can't tell you how much I love him.
I love, love, love him. He's a family friend. He's a long-term friend. He's a male friend. He's my friend.
He is a huge blessing in my life.

{Juan and Me rafting- our annual delight}
Love you Juan, so much. Or shall I say: Te quiero mucho Juan!
Promise to be more present this week: I heard about the sad passing of a former schoolmate of mine last week and didn't feel appropriate publishing posts about shoes and feathers that I had previously scheduled. Hug your loved ones. XO.
Good weekend? Do tell!