time and place

“And yeah man, if I’m gonna pick up at 10 pm on Saturday you can bet that I’m gonna roll up at 10 pm on Saturday. And when I have to beep a couple times, I still know you are gonna be there.”

With the summer slipping away quicker than your swan float in an ocean, stuff is being thrown together. A flurry to see the people, get to the party, and spend some time with your parents. Before you have to drag yourself to the bookstore, and cough up at least half of your summer job cash and part of your left arm to get all those textbooks. It’s gonna get legit quick people.

My parents are pretty cool people, they have been best friends since fifth grade and are approaching their 25th wedding anniversary. Their story is one of fierce loyalty rather than hallmark card love story. Their dynamic childhoods brought them together at a young age.

And I always want to hear story after story of how the boy from the wrong side of town got the girl who lived in the highlands.

I love the story of my parents running from the cops, my dad carried my mom through the woods due her poor shoe choice that day. And during that speedy escape my mom lost her impractical sandals. My dad went back to the woods, found her shoes, and biked them over to her the next morning.

Like that is some real life Cinderella shenanigans. And the summer of 1984, when my mom failed her grad school class because they had just started dating. Or the silly stories of their Special Olympics Team that they coached together, and if that isn’t goals I don’t know what is.

When I am completely broke and struggling with loans I will write my parents story, but alas that is not today.

The stories that really stick with me are the ones that highlight the commitment my parents had with their friends. They operated daily on pure trust, commitment and loyalty. If you had a plan, you had a plan. It wasn’t altered, modified or cancelled.  They showed up for each other.

One phone call or conversation would secure the plan and that would be it, “Like hey Bob, meet us there at 7. And yeah, my dad would be there at 7, in a car that would be running on wishful thinking and WD-40.

People just showed up man, their plans were backed by their word and loyalty for each other. There was no “share my location” or a “I am on my way” text. There was a time and a place and that was it.

Was there wasted time? Of course. Did my mom’s friends wait for her for over 2 hours one night? Yeah they did, but they weren’t going to leave, and they all knew she would do the same for them.

That some 1980s girl power loyalty right there.

I have always been shocked and inspired by the amount of loyalty and the level of commitment my parents had with their friends. I think it is why I love movies like the Sandlot and Stand by Me. Both films display fierce loyalty, even when the ball is taken by the Beast or the older brother pulls a gun.

They had each others backs and kept their word. And what more could you ask for in a friend?

Your word is everything, it can build you up or knock you down. Understand that your word is the most valuable piece in any relationship.

When your boss asks you to work a double, and you say yes, he is trusting your word that you will show up.

When your parents ask you to pick up your brother at a certain time, they are trusting your word that you will get him home.

When that boy asks you to prom,  happily take your word that you will go, and get permission papers signed, wear a dress similar to the vest he already has, and bring a corsage.

When your friend asks you if they can stay at your house for a couple days, they are very much trusting your word that it will all be okay.

When the girl asks you if everything is okay between you two, and you say yes, she doesn’t trust your word right away, so just keep repeating it.

When your neighbor asks you to water their plants for a week, they believe your word that you won’t let their sunflowers die.

When your coach asks if you understand your role in a specific play, they are trusting your word and your ability to execute it when the time comes.

When your roommate rolls over and asks you if you can get them to the nearest CVS, she needs your word that you will get her through it.

And when your sister calls you stranded in a parking lot with no keys, she is trusting your word that you will indeed haul 45 minutes to come pick her up.

Your word is the foundation of your character. So, have your word mean something, there are so many who waste it, throw it around like confetti. Let your word be goddamn cement, let it sink so deep that no one would even dare to question your word.

Let’s be the people that show up for work, weddings, wakes, and everything in between.

Let’s be the people who drive far and wide, despite the gas prices.

Let’s be the people who stand next to each other during fist fights and Friday nights.

And let’s be the people who are truly there for one another.

Your word is valuable and meaningful, don’t forget it.

Sincerely,

Emma