Family

It is your greatest right and responsibility as a human to take care of the people you love. For as long as I can remember, I've believed that while you may share blood with your relatives, your family is composed of the people you choose. Your relatives love you in spite of who you are; your family loves you because of it. There have been but a few occasions in my life when I've met a person and wanted to hang out with him or her forever. 

We met on a weekday evening before they even lived here. Still residing in Vegas, they'd come up for a few days to look for apartments before Conor's work transferred him to the Northwest. Bobby met them first, after responding to Conor's online post seeking new friends in an unfamiliar city. I would have been in attendance that night at Gold Dust Meridian, but I had a two hour Swedish class scheduled. I got the call as I was driving home. "You need to come to Gold Dust Meridian right now. You are going to love these guys," Bobby said. I was tired. I'd worked all day and been in class all night, but I know what this degree of enthusiasm from Bobby means. I skipped the exit for our house and headed for Hawthorne. By the time I got there, the three were on their way to The Woods, a funeral home turned concert venue, to see a show. I turned around again and met them there. Bobby was right, of course. Conor was outgoing from the start, while Jonathan hung back, saying little and taking in the new people suddenly surrounding him. They headed home to Vegas to prepare for their move, but I was certain we'd all be good friends. 

Later, while stationed in Seattle, Conor met up with me, Bobby, and Tara to attend Bumbershoot 2010. By sheer coincidence he was living in the same hotel in which we were staying, so the four of us spent the weekend together. 








Once they became permanent residents of Portland, we began hanging out constantly. I'd text Jonathan after work to go out for happy hour, Conor would join me for lunch, and we'd gather frequently for parties and movie nights. Bobby and I introduced them to our friends, who quickly adopted them. They each possess that rare trait that makes people gravitate toward them. 

Through travels and wine-soaked silliness, through awful days and grand excitement, through birthdays and holidays and no-reason get-togethers, these two young men became some of my favorite people on the planet. 













For all the times we've gone out dancing, for all the concerts and pub quizzes, for the night you let me cry all over your living room after the election. For the Palm Springs adventures and roller coaster rides. For the chance meeting that turned into such a wonderful friendship. Thank you, dear ones, for letting me share in your great joy, and for adding so much goodness to my life. It is my tremendous honor and privilege to witness your marriage, host your party, and be your friend.