I think most of us have an story of true friendship. In my case, is a friend that I met for the first time at school when we were four years old (now, we are 45 years old 😉) I remember those times at school very clearly and with lots of memorable moments. When I finished the school, I started high school in a different place. Our relationship changed, and in those years we hardly ever met. I really missed her in those years. After finishing High School, we started to meet again. Four years had past but our relationship was still strong. We had some good years between our twenties and thirties, and as we settled down, our relationship turned more confident. Long coffees and talks joined us even more than we were. Nowadays she lives far from me, but we try to meet whenever we can. Distance doesn't mean forget. Sometimes I miss those youth times in which all was easier and new but, in the end I love the relationship we have. I usually tell her that I see we both having lime blossom tea and talking about the old times. Thinking that, always make me smile.
Oh wow, Andrei, what a stunning, emotive piece. Every word, so vivid, poetic, tangible. And I feel the bittersweetness of your memories. Sweet because you shared a special bond with your friend. Bitter because of the loss.
I finally got the chance to sit down and read this piece. Wow, Andrei, what a captivating and vulnerable story. Thanks for sharing it with me the other day!
I was nervous and eager to see what would unfold as you held those action figures. What would you do or say? How would your friend respond? I imagine that day's experience felt like grief—whether you could name it as such or not.
I really loved this Andrei. The sadness of a friendship that fades is a special kind of heartbreak, in my opinion.
There was a girl I was really close with, we were like sisters and I thought "wow this is my best friend." She moved away a year later and when I went to visit her she had changed. She was this confident go-getter, popular and head of different school organisations. We were no longer the same gawky, shy kids who stuck together like bandits. I felt left behind. Sometimes I still think of her and wondered what would have happened if she had stayed behind. Would we still have remained friends? Was her blossoming into coolness inevitable?
What a gorgeous essay, Andrei. I think we’ve all experienced these moments of loss of innocence--we are taught so early on that we have to hide parts of who we are to be accepted. Thank you for sharing this highly relatable memory in such lovely prose.
Beautiful. I recognize so much of what you describe in your unique friendship. I remember exactly the moment I realized I had lost my best friend to that 'same' group you mentioned. It was at a birthday party. I had gone to great extents to buy the perfect gift and even a perfect gift bag. Pretty quickly I understood that I was no longer in the circle. When I biked home I think I aged at least a year while thinking about how my childhood had ended.
Andrei, I absolutely loved this. Reminded me of the kids playing outside the tower block chapter from Cărtărescu’s ‘Nostalgia’. Brilliant piece of writing!
No. 14 - The Lords of Summer
I really enjoyed this Andrei! It took me back to my school days (although they were in the 80’s) and the friendships we had, and those we lost.
Such incredible memories I have, thank you for bringing those back to me through your words and personal story.
I think most of us have an story of true friendship. In my case, is a friend that I met for the first time at school when we were four years old (now, we are 45 years old 😉) I remember those times at school very clearly and with lots of memorable moments. When I finished the school, I started high school in a different place. Our relationship changed, and in those years we hardly ever met. I really missed her in those years. After finishing High School, we started to meet again. Four years had past but our relationship was still strong. We had some good years between our twenties and thirties, and as we settled down, our relationship turned more confident. Long coffees and talks joined us even more than we were. Nowadays she lives far from me, but we try to meet whenever we can. Distance doesn't mean forget. Sometimes I miss those youth times in which all was easier and new but, in the end I love the relationship we have. I usually tell her that I see we both having lime blossom tea and talking about the old times. Thinking that, always make me smile.
Ouch, the last sentence... 😢
Oh wow, Andrei, what a stunning, emotive piece. Every word, so vivid, poetic, tangible. And I feel the bittersweetness of your memories. Sweet because you shared a special bond with your friend. Bitter because of the loss.
I finally got the chance to sit down and read this piece. Wow, Andrei, what a captivating and vulnerable story. Thanks for sharing it with me the other day!
I was nervous and eager to see what would unfold as you held those action figures. What would you do or say? How would your friend respond? I imagine that day's experience felt like grief—whether you could name it as such or not.
I really loved this Andrei. The sadness of a friendship that fades is a special kind of heartbreak, in my opinion.
There was a girl I was really close with, we were like sisters and I thought "wow this is my best friend." She moved away a year later and when I went to visit her she had changed. She was this confident go-getter, popular and head of different school organisations. We were no longer the same gawky, shy kids who stuck together like bandits. I felt left behind. Sometimes I still think of her and wondered what would have happened if she had stayed behind. Would we still have remained friends? Was her blossoming into coolness inevitable?
Full-circle sensory, emotional, evocative writing, Andrei.
What a gorgeous essay, Andrei. I think we’ve all experienced these moments of loss of innocence--we are taught so early on that we have to hide parts of who we are to be accepted. Thank you for sharing this highly relatable memory in such lovely prose.
Beautiful. I recognize so much of what you describe in your unique friendship. I remember exactly the moment I realized I had lost my best friend to that 'same' group you mentioned. It was at a birthday party. I had gone to great extents to buy the perfect gift and even a perfect gift bag. Pretty quickly I understood that I was no longer in the circle. When I biked home I think I aged at least a year while thinking about how my childhood had ended.
Andrei, I absolutely loved this. Reminded me of the kids playing outside the tower block chapter from Cărtărescu’s ‘Nostalgia’. Brilliant piece of writing!
Man that hit. That last time with a friend. You don't realize it until in retrospect...often years after.