Long see, no time

 For someone that hates hugs and BBQs I had a very good time. 

The day started out with everyone saying, “long time, no see,” and ended with time having done the weird twisty-turney thing it does, so that no one could believe thirty years had passed. It was a pearl wedding anniversary party for my lovely college friends and they decided to invite the whole crowd to get back together.  The crowd that were thrown together in a cardboard box with no privacy at 18 to grow up (and study?). The crowd that punished our livers together. The crowd that shared a car. The crowd that went to each other’s weddings over a period of 15 years. The crowd that still shares a collective formative memory. 

We discussed memories and talked about all things from Dominic Cummings (arse) to the Azures (not as blue as you’d imagine but the best place to see shooting stars). 

There was some chat about how we could have all been so remiss. A disconnect between how important we were to each other in our heads (massively) compared to how often we see each other (rarely).  Then we promised not to leave it so long next time and were the sad hangers-on at the end of the evening; slightly scared to leave just in case it was another 15 years before we were together again.

Hugs flowed faster than the wine, which is quite something when the hosts have an outdoor bar with a 8 year old barman who took his job seriously enough to sweep up between customers and thought all measures should fill the glass. It started with a cautious checking. Covid? Do you? Can we? Never liked hugs but for you!

And with each hug you realised that these people have a small part of your heart. 

After the cake cutting there were speeches (it was like a proper wedding but with actual cheese) and my friend was his usual profound self. He said that over the years he’s learnt a lot about love and he’s noticed that it’s boundless. There’s always room for more. 

These people may have a little bit of my heart but it wouldn’t have its capacity for love without them. 

I had such a nice time I took no photos to illustrate this blog but a friendship cardigan sums up how the evening felt. Warm and cosy. I love a cardi