Day 29 - When We Were Young

Adele

2015

Disclaimer: All perspectives, opinions, and memories in this entry are mine and mine alone. Some content is rugged, raw, and - sometimes - NSFW, but it's all authentic and included with purpose.

Why It’s On The List:

Probably a little on the nose for a list like this but (A) this song has really landed with me the past few years, which is was I was doing a list like this in the first place and (B) it’s just so damn good.

As I mentioned, I love sitcoms. I’ve always enjoyed the shenanigans of an ensemble. I love how sitcom characters are always together - even at Christmas or weddings or funerals when they probably should be with their individual families like normal people.

And because of that influence, I’ve always wanted THAT kind of ensemble. I've been going to a bar every Thursday night with my friends since 2014 because of “Cheers.” I know it’s unrealistic to sit at a bar or coffee shop with your crew all day every day because we all have families and jobs and responsibilities. 

But it’s oh-so-fun when you do get that time together.

This song makes me think about my friends, so I want to acknowledge them here.

Jonathan & David DeCarlo - twin brothers and probably my oldest friends on planet earth. We met in 1st grade so we’ve known each other for 34 years? Wow. Incredible. We would play baseball outside all day, every day. Just the 3 of us. One would pitch, one would hit, and one would field. We would only go inside when our moms made us take water breaks and when it got too dark to see the ball anymore and someone would inevitably get drilled with a line drive. I pray daily for Jack to find buddies like the DeCarlos as he grows up.

Jon Scott & Jesse Gray - my creative partners during and after college. So many great memories dreaming up skits or shows or movies together. Everything got turned into a bit. Couldn’t have done any of it without them, nor would I have wanted to.

Colin Castelow - my high school drama teacher that saw something in me and helped spark the creative streak inside of me. After graduation, Colin was a good friend during a really rough patch of life.

Kevin Turley - MOOCHIE. I constantly stay jealous of Kevin and wish I could be more like him. He is so fun and full of life. He keeps me from being a complete recluse. I never want to do the things that Kevin wants us to do, but always have a blast when we do it. He has the biggest heart and truly cares about the people around him. He cherishes friendship and quality time. I can get mean and cranky with him and I apologize for all of those times again here, Kev. You are a great man, the best friend anyone could hope to have.

Paul Phipps - hated Paul when we played high school basketball together. He was a reckless ball-hog but I had to respect that he (A) knew it and (B) didn’t care. Paul is always 100% real and authentic. He worked the trenches with me as we chased our dreams. My favorite Paul story is coming tomorrow.

THE Group Text - Since 2014-2015ish, I've had a fantasy sports group text with Paul and our buddy Chad. No one obsesses over every stat, every trade, every pickup like the 3 of us. It's been a place for our crazy nerd flags to fly free. "Is Devin Mesoraco a keeper?" (spoiler: he wasn't), OJ Sampson, Drunk Puppies, Effing Liars... so many great jokes and memories. Chad has recently retired from baseball and basketball so the interactions are fewer and more far in between these days, but always special when it gets going.

Chris Matthews - when Summer and I were dating, Chris and I got set up on a “playdate” because Sum was friends with Chris’ wife Michelle. Chris and I instantly hit it off. From golf, to fantasy football to wine, Chris was the friend that helped me bridge the gap between “things I used to be into” to the “things I’m still into today. We were best men at each other’s weddings and Chris and Michelle are still our all-time favorite couple to hang out with (just don’t let it be girls vs guys in Spades).

Jacob Lewis - My cousin that’s been closer than a brother. No matter how long we go without talking we can always pick up right where we left off. In the fall of 2003, we were both going through some rough spots and I’m glad we had that time to hang out together. I like to think it was good for both of us.

Gray Brothers - my pop culture buddy. We always make each other laugh with Star Wars memes or Frasier quotes and check-in with each other whenever there’s a big movie announcement. We ask each other serious questions about the most ridiculous stuff because we know the other person will get it and respond in earnest.

Wine Night Crew - Thanks to Joel, Jordan, Josh, and Matt for that season of life. I learned so much and made so many hilarious memories. There was a void in our lives that group filled for so long and I will always be thankful for that run.

Phil EuBank - More than a boss, more than a friend. Constantly sees things in me, shines things on me, and pulls things out of me that I never knew were there. He believes in me and has pushed me to be a better leader, husband, father, friend. I’ve had so many people tell me that they are impressed with Phil and I’s ability to always be professional and yet always be friends at the same time. It’s a blessed balance for sure. Honored to be along for the ride.

Jonathan & Jordan - The 3 of us share a text thread to check-in on each other, pray for each other, and dump whatever is going on. These two poor bastards have the unenviable pleasure of being the first to hear from me when my world is going sideways. They are always there for me and they always check in regularly after my initial freak-out. I don't know if they realize how huge that is. Jordan and I are constantly bouncing work stuff off each other. So comforting to have someone like that so you don't feel crazy. Jonathan has been a legit “soul” friend for me. He is the one that I probably talk about the deepest stuff with to this day. We talk about the nuances and macro components of the journey of life. We talk about our spiritual walks and philosophy/vision of church and parenting. It’s the friendship I never knew I always needed.

Fantasy Sports Leagues - You guys have your own entry coming on Sunday...

And finally, The Thursday Crew - It’s the closest thing I will ever get to a sitcom ensemble. You never know what’s going to happen on a Thursday night. “Be a man.” “Son, are you retarded?” Todd Bowles. Planning our funerals. Cameos. The bets. And on and on and on. Special shout out to our wives for letting us have one night to be dumb. Schedules and work and babies have already started affecting our regularity and I'm prepared for our frequency to hang to vary and inevitably/eventually decrease, but it’s going to be fun while it lasts.  Also - I love that we've never made it an exclusive club. Everyone's invited. Every week. Let me know you're coming and we will save a seat for you. We will be there tonight.

As the great philosopher, Barney Stinson, once said, "Whatever you do in this life, it's not legendary unless your friends are there to see it."

Thanks to all of my friends for all the legendary memories so far and the many more to come.

Listen to "When We Were Young" here:

Favorite Line:

The chorus is hauntingly beautiful: “Let me photograph you in this light

In case it is the last time

That we might be exactly like we were

Before we realized

We were sad of getting old

It made us restless

It was just like a movie

It was just like a song When we were young”

If You Liked This Song...
Here are some of my other favorite songs from other current female artists:
- Arms
- Stand By You
- Sort Of
- Teenage Dream
- Die Young
- Starships
- Rainbow