I’m of the opinion that true friendship never really ends. It may evolve and, in a way, dissipate. I came to this realization last night after my friend Cecilia, who lives all the way out in North Cali, announced her engagement to her boyfriend of 7 years (has it really been that long?). Even with our separation, there’s a set of memories that binds us together and makes us inseparable. While I fully realize that I’m not as approachable as I should be (I’m working on it, I swear), I also have to make it known that once you’re a friend of mine, that never changes.

Some may not feel as strongly. Some people invest in their friendship so much that, if they feel that the other person isn’t reciprocating for whatever reason, they simply leave. And that’s perfectly fine with me. A younger version of me may have been disappointed by those actions, but I can no more force that person to stay anymore than I can control the weather. And like the weather, the way friendships go can be so unpredictable. Even still, I’ll always reserve certain people in my heart and mind, especially when nothing ever happened for that separation to happen to begin with.

Like a true friend, when I found out that she was engaged, I dropped the craziest voicemail in her box. After all, that’s what friends are for, right? Forever and a day …

Jose, who’ll choose love over hate today …