It's a common sight: my daughter and Film Guy sitting on the couch, or lying on a blanket in the sun, or lounging on the floor in front of the fireplace. They can spend hours just lazily talking. We've known Film Guy for ten years; he and Beautiful Smart Wonderful Daughter have been in school together since seventh grade. They dated all through high school and remained best friends through college. Since they both went to Snowstorm University, they'd see each other pretty much every day.
When my daughter went to European City with the Famous Bridge for a semester, so did Film Guy. And last year, their senior year in college, my daughter and her friends lived on the bottom floor of an old house, while Film Guy and his friends lived upstairs. They share a passion for music; I can't count how many concerts and musical festivals they've gone to, including ones that involved driving for hours or traveling to other countries or camping in southern heat. I'm not sure my daughter has ever been to a concert without Film Guy at her side.
Film Guy has always teased us about the candle ceremony that we do to celebrate birthdays; he'll come in late and say, "Is this STILL going on? I tried to miss it." But we held a candle ceremony for him tonight anyhow, about a dozen of us gathered in the living room, telling stories and anecdotes in the candlelight. Because Film Guy — the kid we knew in seventh grade, who once dyed his hair bright blue, who was my daughter's first boyfriend, who first taught Boy in Black to play the guitar, who introduced With-a-Why to the Simpsons — he's leaving tomorrow.
True to his pseudonym, Film Guy graduated from college with a degree in Television, Radio, and Film, a career that will take him far from home, all the way to the west coast. He's flying off to live in City Named After Celestial Beings. He's committed to staying in Movie Star State for at least a year, although he hopes, I think, to return someday to this coast. His parents and brother live here in Traintrack Village, so we will see him at the holidays. Like most young people their age, he and my daughter will be connected via computer and cell phone, but I think the separation is going to be difficult.
We'll miss him.
8 comments:
I agree the distance will be difficult, but their love can surely surpass all. I wish them both well.
This is so sweet yet just a little sad. It's like you're very happy for him because he's chasing his dreams, and yet you'll miss him so much all the same.
I love your name for that particular City, and I should point out that our pseudonyms for the state where he's going are markedly similar.
I hope it goes well for him. Our theatrical boy will be headed to the City Like No Other in September, in a similar pursuit.
I hope my city will be kind to him.
But it really ought to be named Los Tiburones.
I know you'll miss him. Those extras are so important.
I like this picture. It reminds me of wondertul time spent lying in the sun. That's yummy!
the perspective is beautiful in this picture and oh what changes are coming in their lives!
Beautiful photograph. I can almost feel it. And I can also almost feel a lump in my throat at Film Guy's departure. How difficult this is going to be for them both.
My daughter heads off to college in a month. Another chapter of change...but they have to spread those wings.
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