And really good pizza.
Anyway, I got inspired to give this a whirl again after talking to Whitney tonight. And then I realized - I don't need to write about crossfit or snatch maxes or this awesome roasted garlic lemon aioli I made the other night. I can write about whatever the fuck I want....because it's my blog. Consequently, it made me want to write about friendship for a mini second. And luckily enough, that ties into crossfit anyway, so BOOM! Haters can't be hate, hate, hating on this post. Hashtag Taylor Swift reference.
So friendships. There have been several moments in my life, as I imagine in everyone's life, where I have been surrounded by a group of people that meant the world to me. Moreover, I feel that I've been blessed that I can say that at almost every pivotal point in my life, I've remained friends with at least a few people in those friendship circles and have carried them with me as I grew older. I truly believe that in one regard, friendships are like fine wine...they do get better with age. They become richer, deeper, more potent. They sit on a shelf reminding you of incredibly beautiful moments in your past and the potentially poignant moments of your future where you can pop that bottle open and celebrate your journey. I've realized, however, that as I get older and learn more about myself, I'm able to pinpoint much more easily the people that I "need" in my life - the ones that I come across and just know that our souls connect on a level that only age and a certain level of maturity and life experience can allow. I've learned that while sometimes incredibly important, and more so, cherished, the ties that bind people don't have to come with years of history.
Not too many years in the distant past, I was surrounded by a group of wonderful people who I thought would be my friends for life. I remember thinking that I would grow old creating memories with them. Instead? Life ensued. We went in different directions, followed different paths. We went from talking frequently to never talking again and I found myself mourning those relationships for quite some time to follow. And then....
...crossfit happened.
One day I found myself in a dirty, kinda frightening, slightly rapey-esque part of town at a crossfit gym. And my life changed forever. People always talk about how crossfit binds people together because of it's cult-like similarities. I'm sure that's true. I've bonded with nearly every single person who has stepped foot in my box (insert dirty joke, Sam) in one way or another. Some have come and gone and others have drank the kool-aid right along with me (I like to think it's cherry flavored). Some I've only known for a matter of months but I appreciate every one of them for what they put themselves through.
That said, I won't sit here and attempt to say that I'm besties with the 100+ people that work out alongside me. My life didn't change because I happen to lift heavy next to someone in the gym. My life changed because the day I started crossfit I met a couple of dudes. And eventually, I met their wives. Their kids. And over the years, a few more people walked through the doors that my soul connected with. People who share my passion for life, for working hard, for health. People who bond over ripped hands, trips to the farmers market, and too many nights with too many beers. I've bared my whole self to these people. I've broken down physically and emotionally. I've gone to places mentally that I needed help coming back from. I've laughed and I've cried with them. I've created a family. And I know....I KNOW....that these people, these beautifully brilliant special flashes of color in my life, will be with me until the end. Because at 33 years old, I can finally say that I know myself. I know who I am. And while I'm always working and learning and growing, I know enough to know that these are my people. They're mine and they always will be. And I can't imagine how I could have ever gone through life without them.
How many people can say that about their workout routine?
