After a long time of not really seeing anyone outside of immediate family, we went out to dinner and beers with a friend this evening. This is someone from the band, so prior to the pandemic, I would get a chance to visit with him weekly at practice, give or take. Now I think I’ve visited in person once since last year when practice shut down, and we live about 15 miles away. So close, and yet so far away.

This funny thing is happening now when you meet up with someone you haven’t seen in a while. We are all so tired, so stressed, so busy, and yet not busy. It took us a while to figure out how to chat again. Just connecting is becoming more difficult.

And yet, it was so nice to see him. We all probably had too much to drink (for a weeknight) and trying to articulate thoughts was not always as simple as it should be. But we all decided we needed to see each other more now that the weather is improving and I really look forward to that. I look forward to seeing all my friends again, one or two at a time. If I could host a party right now I would.

I don’t think anyone who knows me would think of me as a party host, but I just really can’t wait until I can try out that persona again. I’m sure it’ll take a lot out of me, but I just miss everyone so much. I would do anything for my friends, which is why I won’t be hosting anything too soon, but I want to have a more “open door” policy when we can. We need the company and the diversion from the norm, especially after the last year.