Day 22

Solid Gold by PNAU

If you know me, you know I like to make people laugh. I like to say I have a quirky sense of humor… a quick wit.

For some it takes some time to get used to, for others they would rather I just shut the f*@& up altogether.

However, I came across my neighbor in college who got it right away. I’d say we share that among many other things. She might have a way larger sweet tooth than I do, but we’ve been close ever since.

My second semester of senior year, my core group of friends were fortunate enough to live across a group of gals in Pratt frat. We go on annual trips memorial day every year since post grad.

They say college is a roller coaster, but if you were there for it, second semester at my college was like raging bull at six flags except you didn’t have a seat belt. You were just holding on for dear life not knowing what to expect with COVID rules out the wazoo.

Deep into our last semester, we got word that tides would turn. An email went out that if we got our vaccines they would start lifting some mandates and we wouldn’t be held as hostages anymore.

My friend and I piled into her Acura MDX and headed for our shots. Sun was out, vibes were high, and we took the backroads all the way down.

She played this song on the way there. I had never heard it before, but it was the perfect vibe for a windows down drive.

At this point in the college rollercoaster, it was the equivalent of the slow ride up to the top. We knew the drop was coming, and no matter how bad we wanted to look back, we just enjoyed the last of the ride it had to offer.

We got our shots. We were free.

It also happened to be the first night we were allowed down at our local bars again. Our campus was located on a hill, and I swear it was like the stampede down to try to get any of the last spots on the outdoor patio. I wouldn’t have been surprised if we lost a few soldiers along the way.

Ever since this day, this song has been deep in the rotation ever since. It always reminds me of one of my closest friends, the friends I was able to make across the hall, and those last drops of the college experience I was able to soak in.

Sometimes living on campus all four years has its perks.