a good year.

friend
noun
1 a close friend: companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self, playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate; ally, associate; sister, brother; best friend, kindred spirit, bosom buddy, bosom friend; informal pal, chum, sidekick, crony, main man, mate, buddy, bud, amigo, compadre, homeboy, homegirl, homie; archaic compeer.

There are quite a few words that describe being a friend. I have a few favorites: second self is one. A friend that is almost like an extension of yourself almost. You're alike in many ways and yet very different in others. Informal pal is another. I like that because in my true friendships there are no formalities. We are who we are, flaws and all. That can be scary at times. No one likes the possibility of being rejected. Yet, here we are. All of us. After everything, we're still here.

This year I laughed and cried, got into mischief, let down my hair, strayed and came back as I grew with people I never thought I'd be this close to. And, I was real. I was me. They're still here. I'm still here. It worked out quite nicely. No one's perfect, I've learned that. It all comes down to choosing who to love. I've chosen.






Photos by Ricky Oliveras


"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin