When We Grow Up

There is a moment of epitome when you start growing old or getting older, that you realize that nothing is forever. Seasons change, the amazing chocolate ice cream gets down to its last licks, people move on....people move on. We all move, whether it is from our childhood home or town or country (I'm still working on the universe but the cost of living is high out there)and we create new friendships, loosen grips on the old ones and make choices that will forever influence our lives.

The beauty of moving away is that those friendships near you seem to tighten, even if you don't speak as often as before and at the same time you get to create new friendships and to somehow re-establish yourself within this new circle of people you depend on almost on a daily basis. Julia has become one of those people for me. Having met her more than year ago, we immediately became close friends, we shared politics, cold beers in the summer, long bicycle rides (she is my official bike buddy) and long nights of wondering what exactly are we doing in Barcelona? Straight from Germany, alumni of Berkeley, director of a NGO and amazing friend, Julia became my sidekick, or did I become hers? Does it matter? And then a few months ago she gave me the bittersweet news that she had been accepted to Georgetown, with a scholarship and I hugged her, I couldn't expect any less from her, but I also heard my heart tear, her dreams meant my having to say goodbye to yet another friend. Something that is never easy to do. But enough enough, let's talk about the good stuff.

And so we celebrated her growing by throwing a day and night surprise event! What else can you do for someone who has constantly rocked your world with her great sense of humor and smile? Saturday afternoon, we met at Sam's house (the dark curly haired girl)and surprised her with a catered lunch, pedicures and manicures and a make-up lesson since she is about to step into the "real world". We spent all day on a sunny terrace enjoying being us and going over everything we are, will be and would like to be.

Elise, the blonde curly haired English cutie was in charge of all of this and it was a true blast.

After spending all day being pampered, I met Julia at our usual corner and was delighted to see her completely made up and beautiful! Our Julia had grown up in a matter of hours. We both climbed on our bikes and headed towards yet another surprise party, in short skirts, heels and all. We dedicated our last bike ride down Gran Via to our lives and friendship and hummed songs all the way down.

Unfortunately, it took us longer than we expected to find a spot to park our cruisers, but it only made the surprise better. Once at Elise's home, Julia found herself surrounded by a group of admiring friends celebrating with her Barcelona and the newness she will find in DC. It was perfect, glittering poster and all (notice the stars, I glued each and everyone by hand, making silent wishes for my little buddy)...

We toasted with Cava, laughed and enjoyed the presence of each other, of all of us, new and old, creating little pockets of families.

The night was magical and I realized that as you grow older, you don't lose things, they expand, they grow and mold into your life, whether they are near or far. Distance doesn't matter, it is the moments you learn to love, one by one, sincerely and fully. I don't have to wish Julia luck, she already has it and something tells me she about to take on a huge task of making a difference in this world. She already did it in BCN, why not DC?


SIDENOTE---after Julia's party, Alfred, Gisela, Oriol (the handsome boy in the group picture with the white shirt)and I decided to continue a little longer and go for a bike ride. I was so happy I thought I could jump the curve with my bike (something about wearing miniskirts inspires me) and of course, I forgot I'm not so "flexible" anymore and I fell of my bike and got a good taste of Barcelonean asphalt on my little behind, destroying my famous, new red slippers and getting road burn on my booty. Oriol claimed that at least I have style when I fall and I decided that I really need to give up my past and grow up. Yes, you laugh, but hence, this is I...