Friends and Family
There are different definitions of friendship or perhaps different styles of friendship. I am not going to define it but I will tell you about friendship. I came to Denver to celebrate my son’s birthday. There were many events associated with this singular occasion. My son has, over the years, been able to craft his birthday celebration as a National Holiday.
Friday — Great little Mexican restaurant followed by 3rd ranked Denver University D-1 Hockey team playing Univ. of Minnesota. We sat in the student section, of course, and seemed welcomed by the coeds sitting around us. This was followed by a quick (well not so quick for some) trip to the off campus student bar for a victory cocktail (or two) celebration.
Friendship Observation # 1
My son coaches the D-2 Denver University Men’s Club team. For the first time in 7 years they are on their way to regional championships and hopefully national finals. I watched as his entire team surrounded him…talking hockey, celebrating his birthday, and congratulating him on being named by the league — “Coach of the Year”. It’s hard to balance the role of coach, mentor and friend. However, he has managed to thread the needle in a most elegant way. It was heart warming to see these boys not only pay him respect but embrace him as a friend
Saturday -Pond hockey with some players and more friends. These are hockey enthusiasts playing pick-up games on frozen ponds. Remember this is winter in Colorado so they flood part of a golf course. There are all sorts groups, families and friends playing pick up hockey. Getting there was not without effort as travel time was a 45 minute to one hour drive for all.
Friendship Observation # 2
A broad group of families had managed to arrange for baby sitters and take a pause on all those Saturday duties allowing them to come and play hockey on a pond because he had asked them to do so. No presents just bring yourselves because you are my friends and I want to hang with you around a sport we all love. It is the friendship of common interests. A celebration of togetherness around a shared activity.
Saturday Night-I love the hospitality industry and when it is done correctly there is nothing like the experience of sharing food with friends. Fortunately the friends extend, at least for me, to the people who run these incredible establishments. Tavernetta is a must go to restaurant in Denver developed by the renowned restauranteur Bobby Stuckey. However it is the sommelier Tre Gerbitz that makes every visit special. His knowledge of wine and attention to detail is superb. In this instance he had taken the time to select wine vintages which matched important anniversaries in my son’s life. Graduation from prep school, college but importantly, his marriage to the most incredible Katherine “The Duchess of Worcestershire.” The dinner matched the wines and it was a party to remember.
Friendship Observation # 3
Our friends at this restaurant and others (Bell’s Los Alamos a prime example - no offense but they are still #1 for me) make every visit, a visit amongst friends. The warmth and meaningful conversation sandwiched into serving others always leaves me thinking they had open the restaurant just for me. Tre wrote an amazing salutation for my son as he described the meaning of the wines chosen for this event.
“ you bring so much joy into all of our lives. I am lucky to have met you, and look forward to celebrating your next birthday together, in Italy, or on the moon if they are allowing BYOB on spaceships by then.” —Tre
This is not service this is friendship!!!
Now the cynics might say this is what restaurant are supposed to do. I beg to differ this is an example of extraordinary people celebrating unconditional friendship
Sunday -Not over yet….. Colorado Avalanche game against Edmonton. It was an exciting overtime victory by the Aves and by all accounts an extraordinary game. Again I am not sitting in these seats if it were not for friends of my son who had graciously given him these seats plus 4 more for his friends.
Friendship Observation # 4
He does have a business relationship but he is the provider not the client. Yet through his attentiveness and care they have become friends. They are a young family and they share in the love of this game and the love building careers and families. A friendship of experience you might say. As you slog through the challenges of life, it is so much fun to have friends to share these experiences and challenges in real time.
Monday -Almost the end…. I had a doctor’s appointment about an hour and one half away from Denver. My son and friend was able to drag himself out of bed to take me to and from in the middle of holiday ski traffic. We ended our extravaganza with the “Three Ski Amigos” dinner at Matsuhisa Yes, I get to be part of this tight knit group of three. We reviewed all of the events.
Friendship Observation # 5
Friendships are developed over time but at the core the participants are interesting and interested. All sacrifices are worthwhile. Take Eli and Zach - piled hi with student debt, attending medical school and business school in Philadelphia, they managed to pause classes and fly out to be with their friend to celebrate his birthday. My son is someone you want to have as your friend and I am blessed to be one of them. It is the breadth of his friendship group that always amazes me. They are not just his class mates, nor his team, nor his work colleagues, they are a broad group of people that he has engaged with on multiple occasions. Friends are not acquaintances, they are people who believe in you and would help when needed. Fill in when asked; watch the dog, listen to your problems, give advice when needed.. Mostly they are people that you care about without condition just like the love we all strive to find and to give.
Happy Birthday
Love Your Friends and Family