Into every relationship - be it romantic or best friends - there will be a series of moments over time where a given decision effects the entire vantage point of the friendship. There is a specific moment we all feel a gravity in a given moment; a thoughtfulness is required that normal life does not. It's hard not to be afraid of these moments, when we sense that a connection might be irreparably repaired if we don't "do the right thing". There are many right things you can do. And thus, stress arises.
For the second time in two years (fifteen total), my best friend and I got into an immensely passionate debate that tested us both mentally and emotionally. Our initial foray was last year, when election tensions were scorching the airways and the streets. It also became a part of our interactions and the consequences were menacing. At one pint, we didn't talk for three days after an abrupt end to a chaotic phonecall. I didn't know if I was ever going to talk to my best friend after so many treasured moments of bad movies, boobs and being. We came back together, but it felt like our friendship, for the first time ever, had a "Do not enter sign". Our friendship survived, but I always felt a subtle loss in the ability to be open.
Tonight, this conversation began anew. It was largely challenging, but at one certain moment my friend told me we should stop the discussion. The moment to had arisen. If I accepted the shutdown of the conversation, I know it would have created a searing scar the second time around. Right or wrong, I pressed forward to find some common ground in our divergent opinions. If best friends can't find agreement, what hope does the nation have? Three hours later, we had found common ground, revealed even more about ourselves by being intellectually honest and had praised our lives, our memories, and our friendship. We sacrificed sleep for a great discussion and the renewed confidence that all is well. He could have shut me down, but he came back in to the discussion to find a common ground. I think he recognized The gravitas of the moment. I am blessed to have this person to call friend.
