From 2001 to 2005, we lived
in Fullerton, California while Ryan attended graduate school at the Southern
California College of Optometry. During
that time, we met many other couples leading similar, grueling, graduate school
lives where money is tight, spouses stay up all night studying, and many weekends
are spent quarantined in the school library.
A few years ago, Ryan decided
to reconnect with a classmate from Optometry school. A classmate who had also returned to Las
Vegas after graduation. One I had never
met: Mr. V.
On a warm summer night, we
met up with Mr. V., his wife, and their two boys at a park not far from our homes. Surprisingly, our children were similar ages
and seemed to enjoy playing together. Mr.
and Mrs. V. were easy to talk to. What I
worried was going to be an uncomfortable, awkward evening with strangers turned
out to be fun.
This Sunday, the V. family
came to dinner.
I served grilled hamburgers,
corn pudding, baked potato skins, carrots and dip, and Doritos. The V. family brought a fruit plate. For dessert, I served seven-layer bars and lemon
bars.
I like talking to Mrs.
V. She is an experienced, intelligent,
elementary school teacher who has great insights into the world of public education. I admire how she juggles work
and family, and still manages to take good care of herself at the same time—mainly
because I haven’t quite figured out this juggling act myself.
Recounting my introduction to
the V. family reminds me to lower my aversion to meeting strangers.
Good friends often come from
unexpected places.
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