Old Friends

I met Rob back in the early 80s. His parents were friends with my friend Mike's parents, and Rob and I attended Canes games together. He is the LOUDEST Canes fan, by far, and has a sharp wit that typically gets whole sections of the stadium going wild, with a well played jab at an opposing team or coach.

Rob bought his father's insurance business, and we became clients. We stayed clients through several incarnations of the agency, but last year Rob left to start his own, new gig. I wish him well.

He was married for nearly 20 years to Becky, and they made us a group of couples/ Canes fans who partied hard and hearty together for a long time. They divorced a few years ago, and Becky moved to Texas. Rob met a new lady, Monica, a Colombian-American from LA. Last night they had us over to Monica's house in Cutler Bay.

Mike and Loni were there, as well as Paul and Darriel. Mike and Paul met at Killian High over 35 years ago, and have been close ever since. Loni and Darriel were co workers at the Falls Mall, and, 25 years ago, I married Darriel and Paul at the now torn down Sonesta on Key Biscayne. Now they're grandparents together.

We see Mike and Loni often, since D2 and their oldest grew up together and are close, but it's been a long time since the rest of the group got together. Last night was a nice reunion.

Rob made gourmet Mac and Cheese, and grilled steaks. We drank and laughed, and talked about our past parties and Canes trips.

Paul has been a pharma sales rep for more than 25 years, and like me, he's looking for a career change. He's an empty nester, and paid off his home a few years ago, so he's in a position to pick something fulfilling instead of only profitable. We decided someone ought to pay us for going to Canes games together...

So it was a very nice, suburban good time last night. Old friends, the Colombians say, are like old shoes --familiar, comfortable, and they take you anywhere in the world you want to go.