Late Nights

There’s something about the company of friends that makes me want to leave the house as soon as the family’s tucked away to bed. Maybe it’s the crazy kid inside of me refusing to have a bed time, or maybe it’s the desire to seek out the companionship of those friends I love and trust.

Last night, Leah and I went to Kalamazoo to visit our friends Amy and Jake. As we arrived, we were greeted by the scent of Jake’s famous home-made pizza. Jake makes a delicious pineapple pizza. I have drool running down my chin just thinking about it. After gorging ourselves on the pizza and Leah’s fantastic spinach/artichoke dip, we began to watch the ballad of Ricky Bobby. This film is most heart-wrenching and caused us all to burst into tears like everyone does at the end of The Notebook.

I don’t know what it is about Nintendo 64, but I don’t think it will ever go out of style. After the movie was finished, we challenged each other in the art of Mario Kart. I managed to win a couple of times when I wasn’t getting schooled by my highly skilled girlfriend. I was also beaten quite mercilessly by our gracious hosts. I’m not quite sure how much time we spent with Mario and his Karts, but it was definitely time not wasted.

Now, as a Michigander, there are several things you must learn to fulfill the role. One of these things is Euchre. Euchre is a highly sophisticated game with a complex structure that cannot be understood by anyone who might call themselves “A Southerner.” Amy, Jake, Leah, and I all decided to practice this Michigan ritual. Jake, not knowing the rules of Euchre, played a few hands and was soon a master in the ways of Euchre. Now, if Jake was not a true Michigander, we would have had to play 8 months straight before he could tell the difference between a left bower and a right bower. However, he picked up fast and we were soon engulfed in a full on brawl with the girls in a game of Euchre. After losing the last hand with the score being 10-9, we surrendered our pride and dignity to the victory of the women folk. (Something only a real man can do.)

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the delightful chocolate pie and hot chocolate that we shared together. There’s something about pie and hot chocolate that bonds souls together. I’m not really sure what it is, but I’m sure it’s there.

That night was a lot of fun and was filled with a lot of hysterical laughs separated by gasps for air. I love the joy and fulfillment that comes from hanging with friends. There is a emotional high that only fellowship can create. There’s an even greater high that comes from fellowship at two in the morning. A lot of my favorite memories are from spending time with friends late at night. Whether this time is spent at a friend’s house, or by making a late-night trip to Denny’s our IHOP. Wherever it is, the late hours of night seem to amplify the laughter and tweak the smiles of those I love and trust.

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