“Here’s another song for you,
So this one this one makes two.
Still don’t know where to begin,
I’ll just leave it at this.”
People often think that women and men can’t be friends without it eventually being ruined by one or other of the party falling in love with the other, or both of them screwing it up after a drunken night together. While I can definitely see that being a possibility, some of my dearest friendships are with men. One friend in particular I cherish. We don’t often get to see each other because he lives in a different province, but through Facebook, texts and emails we manage to talk several times a week.
I can’t speak for him, but there have been many times when I have wished so much that he could live closer. Sometimes it’s because I need a shoulder to cry on, sometimes because I need a wingman at the bar, and sometimes because I know that no matter how shitty my life has been lately, that if I could only give him a hug I would feel so much better. I think, and hope, that he thinks the same of me. I know that I am one of the few people he stays in contact with no matter what.
“Wait for me to move out west.
It’s ok if you don’t.
I hope you know,
You’re my favorite thing,
About the west coast.
I wish I stayed,
I hope you wait.”
I was in his city to visit him recently, and whether it was my recent long streak without any guy who interested me, or just genuine feelings finally bubbling to the service, we ended up kissing. Kissing turned into rolling around on a bed until he put a stop to it, explaining how much he cared about me and thought I was amazing. He was worried about ruining our friendship for the sake of something we both knew wouldn’t work when we lived in different cities. I was taken aback.
We are friends, we talk about literally everything, I was hurt that he thought I would let things get awkward or weird, or trust him any less. I convinced him to forget about it and just stay the night anyways. He was a great big spoon, we cuddled, we slept, we made fun of each other and talked like normal. Sure there were brief awkward moments, but they were quickly resolved. If it was that easy after the awkwardness of having to stop and explain why, would it really have been that different if we had just given in?
“I’ll say it but I’m sure you knew,
You’re what I look most forward to.
Coming back to where I’ve been,
I’ll just leave it at this.”
Since I’ve returned home we’ve spoken once or twice on Facebook, and it seems to be mostly like it was before. I really hope that it will continue to be. I won’t lie and say a part of me doesn’t wish we lived in the same city. I could really use a friend, and I also am so tired of being single, of sleeping alone. Maybe he would be a perfect solution to both of those problems. We obviously have chemistry, we have been friends for years and know a lot about each other already…
Then again, the chances of us ever living in the same city are fairly slim. Being happy with what we have, a strong friendship, is probably the best plan of action.
“I’m sure you always feel my eyes on you
but I hope that you will never feel unwanted.”
I became a fan of The Starting Line in first year of university, “Playing Favorites” is an old song, but a good one. The band started out when the members were just teenagers, like most great punk bands. Voclaist Kenny Vasoli was only 15 when the band, then known as Sunday Drive, started touring. After signing with Drive-Thru Records in 2001 they changed their name to The Starting Line since Sunday Drive was already taken by a Christian rock band.
Three albums and two EPs later, the band has seen much success from headlining Vans Warped Tour, to having their music featured in movies like “She’s the Man”. The band now records on the Virgin record label, and has returned to touring after a brief hiatus.
