Moment (Reverb10, Day 3)

December 3 – Moment.

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)
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The moment I felt most alive this year was during a hike in Nashville with my best friend, Joel.

Let's start with one basic truth: neither Joel or I are really the 'hiking type'. We much prefer to be indoors, sedentary, preferably surrounded by fried food. So the fact that during my short stay we decided to get active was impressive and out of character.

We stayed at a steady enough pace that we were making headway, but slow enough to talk. Really talk. Subjects you can't talk about in coffee shops. Stuff that can only be said when you're surrounded so closely by trees on all sides that you're sure the leaves are absorbing your secrets as soon as they spill out.

Then we slowed down to talk about how shitty it was that we don't live in the same city anymore. And how we probably won't for a long time, if ever.

At the top of the path was a bench that overlooked Nashville and the surrounding areas. Hundreds of couples had sat there before us reflecting, as evidenced by the initialed etchings in the wood. Even with this cliched scene staring me in the face, I knew that we had hit a high point.

I had just landed a new fabulous job, Joel was finding his way in the city below. Despite living apart for a year, we weren't drowning without one another. We had found a way to clear our own paths even though we weren't able to clear them together.

In the day-to-day, we remain connected on a micro level - a daily barrage of emails, texts, tweets to remind one another of the humor, political leanings, values that we share.

The visits, though, are what really brings our friendship to life. Anyone can laugh at a political gaffe or get upset about a poor choice in Oscar hosts. It's the people you can peel back all layers for that make you come alive.

Speaking of, let's go ahead and get even more sappy because one of my favorite quotes of all time is about coming alive:

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