July 4, 2005

To whom I was known as Maria

... I hate good-byes ...

It all started on a cold December night 5 1/2 years ago. That's the night I met Kevin Christopher Martinez. This was no ordinary meeting. In fact it would be one that would literally change my life. Most friendships have a natural progression: meeting, to talking, to knowing each other, to spending time together, to then becoming best friends. But that wasn't what me and Kevin had. As a strange blessing from God, that very first time we met, me and Kevin became best friends. Inseparable. Undeniably close.

Nobody could really understand our friendship. To be so close between a boy and a girl, without it being romantic. To always be by the same persons side everyday. To be so close in what should have been years, but was only days. Truthfully, I don't really even understand it to this day. But I sure am grateful.

Years have passed. We've gone through graduations, boyfriends/girlfriends, stupid stunts, fighting matches, laughing till I wet my pants, scandals, vacations, and every range of emotion a person can go through.

I'm forever grateful to him for the person he helped me become. I was fine being an introvert, but he taught me to come out of my shell. He was the one that started me singing in the choir at mass. He was the one who literally forced me to go one Raider awakening and start joining CSA. He always made me watch my language and dress modestly. I can't count the number of times he's protected and took care of me. He became a part of my family, and me a part of his.

Last week, he left for Indiana for a two year internship with Indiana University. We had to say good-bye. It's not the end for our friendship, but it is a dramatic change. One I hope we can make it through. I'll miss you Kevin, and I wish you the best of luck in is your new surroundings.

... I hate saying good-bye, so I guess I'll just see you again some day!

No comments: