The Times I Won’t Have to Say
Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2003 at 23:00.
When the phone rang around eleven this morning, excitement rushed through me when I heard Ryan‘s voice. He is leaving tomorrow for Virginia Tech and I wanted some bro time before our departure for college.
We hung out at the apartment for about an hour and then reconvened after he went on to lunch with someone. I picked up seven CDs (courtesy of gift cards) during our afternoon journey along Ward’s Road: Stripped – Christina Aguilera, A Rush of Blood to the Head – Coldplay, Roaring Lambs – Various Artists, Smash-Ups – Various Artists, Justified – Justin Timberlake, Self Titled – Tony Vincent, Escapology – Robbie Williams.
Before driving off, Ryan and I talked and prayed. Our friendship suffered during my time in San Diego. I know that too well, even to the point of feeling awkward around him when I first returned. This summer provided a chance to rapidly renew the relationship we had prior to my departure and grow it beyond as we became fully transparent in our fears, tears, and struggles. Ryan has been a continual answer to prayer, a voice of accountability, and the most significant person in my life for the past three years. It does not seem that long ago when I first stepped onto the JF patio and sat across from him to eat lunch. Nearly four-hundred lunches later, eight months of 3,000 miles of separation, and one invigorating summer, I still cannot thank God enough for the friendship of Ryan Harne.
