Meanwhile...

There's not enough great things that I can say about my best friend. We've been through a lot together, all best friends have, and sometimes those experiences have almost killed us (literally), but we did them together, we learned, we grew and we became closer. There's not one person that I introduce him to that doesn't love his company right from the start. He's intelligent, hilarious, charismatic, generous, modest, positive, full of integrity (more than he gives himself credit for), women love him and he's a guy you always want in your corner b/c he makes you a better person.

So about a half hour before I wrote my msg Sunday morning, my best friend had left my place to write this to me...
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Hey man, it's Sunday morning and I'm hanging out at my place listening to
some tunes... realize that, yes I'm very wasted but, I just felt it was a
good time to let you know exactly how I feel about our friendship. This
might be a sentimental moment and it might be misconstrued in the fine light
of sobriety but, I just want to say how much I value you as a friend. I
guess it's kind of messed up that it takes me getting totally wasted to say
it but, you are a stellar kid. I'm really proud of your professional
accomplishments and even more importantly your committment to ideals. I
realize in some ways we have both changed and grown in our own unique
directions but, it's a great feeling to know that I have a friend that I can
confide in and be able to flesh out in conversation the ideas and feelings
we both have. It's really refreshing and it makes me feel really good.
It's a pure feeling that makes me believe in the good in the world and
whatever that's left that's good of me. I guess I'm struggling with some
things... well, that's life... (cliche) but, when I get things out in front
of you it's almost like I feel I have to follow through because the last
thing I would want is to disappoint you... that's just how much respect I
have for you. Obviously, I fall short of the mark sometimes but, I think
we're both on the same page in regards to... and this may sound arrogant
but, we both have a responsibility to accomplish great things. I think the
world could use a few more guys like us. Anyway, just do me a favor and
keep an eye on me and let me know when I'm in need of some direction... I'll
do the same for you. Things will continue to change with time but, I hope
we both continue to stick to our guns and stand up for the hard way... the
right way and always have an open mind to change and have the stamina and
strength to be good people. I think that's what's most important. To be
someone that you can look in the mirror and say "I'm proud of the person
I've become and I look forward to the person that I am becoming".
Reinvention is a quality that many successful people have but, lately I've
been asking myself, what is my metric for success? Why do I want these
things? Is it for the right reasons? Who knows? I'm trying though... I'm
trying really hard. I guess I just want to be happy and enjoy this brief
stint that we've all been blessed with on this earth. Because in the end,
all we know is this life and we have to make the most of it... and time
spent with you and your family has made things a little sweeter for me.
Well, I've done it... I got it out there. I hope I can find the strength to
be able to express myself to a few other people in my life like I have with
you. Once again, it's a great feeling knowing you... and I appreciate
everything that you do for me just for no other reason beside the fact that
we are friends. I promise you those details don't go unnoticed. For
whatever reason I feel the need to end this with a quote that I found on an
old corkboard that hung in my room in college, it's done wonders for my
psyche and I hope it does the same for you my man...

"It is not the critic who counts; nor the man who points out how the strong
man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by
dust and sweat and blood; Who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short
again; who knows the great enthusiasms, great devotions, and spends himself
in a worthy cause; Who at the best knows in the end triumph of high
achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, fails while daring greatly;
So at his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know
neither victory nor defeat."

-President Theodore Roosevelt
HFF,
Nick
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