Wedding Splashers

I always cry at weddings.... WARNING: Long Post

This weekend I got to visit one of my most favorite cities, Boise, Idaho.  For those of you who have been there, most know why I love it so much.  For those of you who wondered why I would ever go to Boise, Idaho, I invite you to take a chance on Boise. 

Boise has everything for the outdoor enthusiast.  Hiking, mountain biking, cycling, white water rafting, snow skiing, snow boarding, rock climbing, fishing, running and cycling on miles of paved bike paths that wind through the city along the river that runs through the center of Boise right past Boise State.  But probably the most awesome thing to do in Boise is "float the river."  You put your inflatable raft, inner tube, boat or anything that will float, in at a designated spot that includes free air compressor stations to blow up your vessel. 

Boise River Float Map

You walk down the concrete steps into the river, get in your boat and let the current take you on a 1 1/2 to 2 hour relaxing float down the river.  The river is populated with tiny waterfalls and rapids that make your floating experience a little more wet and adventurous.  Of course about half way is the rope swing that flings you out into the middle of the river dodging other rafters making the trek down stream.

The best time to go is July and August due to the temperature of the water being a tad bit warmer.  Its mountain run-off water and it's very cold at the beginning of the season.  Plus July and August tend to be very hot in Boise, close to 100 degrees and that makes the cool water a refreshing change of pace from the heat.

One can even combine cycling and drinking.  I want to go to there.

I wish I could say I went floating this weekend.  Instead I was in town for a wedding of two awesome people, April and Joel.  I met April through work.  We were both drug reps on the same contract in the same district.  We hit it off from the start and after I met her future husband Joel I knew they would get married. 

In life you meet people from all walks of life and in all different situations.  I do not believe in coincidence.  I believe you meet people for a reason.  Some are friendships for life, some are friendships for a season.  Either way there is a specific reason you met this person.  I have to say that I think the reason my direction went to Pharmaceuticals was for me to meet a few amazing people through that job.  These people are ones that I bonded with and for whatever reason I care for deeply.  Some friends show you a side of yourself that either you like and you didn't know you had or a side that you hate and didn't know you had.  It's what you decide to do with that revelation that makes you a better or worse person.

For example, I know now why one of these friends has a quirk about always staying in a hotel when they come to visit.  At first I took it personally.  Then I started having situations in my own life where I began to feel more comfortable in a hotel when visiting friends and family.  I was stressed out about waking up my hosts in the middle of the night or I didn't want to be a bother to my friends.  I found staying in a hotel room made me feel more at ease and less stressed.  I told this person this weekend, "I know now!  I understand you now!"  It was a wonderful insight into my friend and now I understand them more.  I was making it all about me and sometimes it's just as simple as not wanting to wake me in the middle of the night when they go pee. 

One other thing I love about this group is that a few of us are dealing with the same issues with depression.  As sales people we all are very out going, energetic and we dominate conversations.  We love attention.  Or do we?  We do, however it is often a coping mechanism.  When I met these friends and co-workers I was shocked to see how many had the same issues I had.  We knew exactly what the other was going through.  I can't tell you how many hours on the phone, (before texting) we spent crying, whining or just venting and it was great because we knew exactly what it felt like. 

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  Sometimes friends get into a bad "head space" and nothing seems to pull them out.  No matter how hard you try, how much you suggest to them how they can fix their issues, it's a losing battle.  You see them spiraling down an endless hole into an abyss of depression.  You worry about them day and night.  They won't return phone calls or texts.  They don't want your help but then they get mad at you when you don't help. It's like talking to an alcoholic in denial of their addiction.  The alcoholic has to hit rock bottom before they see that they are slowly killing themselves.  What do you do when rock bottom lasts for over a year?  What do you do when you know there is a possible fix but for some reason they just won't try? 

I met this person for three reasons.  First, to have a partner is this battle of depression.  Second, to find out  how I can better myself.  Third, to help them.  All  I have to do now is decide if leaving them alone is "helping them" or if I need to go above and beyond and risk losing a friendship and maybe even a life.  I guess  I'll just have to let it play out and look for a sign.  Things happen for a reason and I know that reason will present itself soon.

As we all remember from high school saying that we will always stay close with out friends.  Now we all know that people grow apart and life happens.  The next thing you know it's 25 years later and you're seeing friends at the class reunion that you haven't seen since graduation day. It happens.  The friends we make as adults are no different.  Some friends are meant to stay around forever and some are just meant to touch your life and move on.  It when you have to decide to fight for a friendship or just let it float down the current that makes life tough.