When I woke up on the morning after Jordan’s 30th birthday party, my mouth was dry and my head was pounding. The symptoms were a result of my attempt to make up for a year of missed celebrations in just one night. And while it was not a feeling that I typically enjoy, there was something about the idea of being “hungover” that I kind of missed.
The weekends that followed Jordan’s birthday included a couple of weddings, a big Bonder family barbecue, a trip to see Jade & Steve, Jordan’s girls’ day out at Grace Winery, a neighborhood happy hour, lunch out in West Chester, beers on patios and around fire pits, and an impromptu trip down to Sea Isle. In between these long overdue social events, we were back to meeting clients in person, booking travel, working out at the gym, and awkwardly hugging and high fiving the people that we missed the most.
And all throughout the month, I loved seeing the smiles as we reunited with friends that we haven’t been able to spend quality time with. I watched Charlie and Jack snuggle and giggle once again with their great grandmother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I listened to the laughter of my buddies and the familiar sound of the same old stories as we picked up where we had left off. I sang songs at the top of of my lungs like I WAS the “Piano Man.” I embraced a few of the 30-some Bonders that came together singing the words, “Ain’t no river wide enough…to keep me from getting to you!” I was fired up by the sight of Madison Square Garden going wild to kick off the NBA playoffs. I found my toes in the sand and a koozie in hand once again. And it felt so nice to replace the routine comments of, “We’re taking precaution and keeping our ‘pod’ small” with conversations like, “What are your plans next weekend?”
I am so grateful for everyone who contributed to the vaccine efforts and all of those that paved this road to recovery. All it took was a little prick on the shoulder back in early April, and a few weeks later I had a new lease on my social life. And for all of the conspiracy theorists out there: In the 1 in a trillion chance that Bill Gates did put a microchip in the vax, his tracking device would simply find me having the time of my life.
As the summer continues and we get more used to our “normal” life and social schedule, I assume we’ll naturally begin to take the hugs, the crowds, the unrestricted gatherings, the freedom, and the peace of mind for granted once again. But I hope that I don’t.
I hope that I never forget the excitement that I felt when I returned to my domain at the center of the dance floor. I hope I remember how it felt to belt out “Mr. Brightside” with friends that I haven’t seen in a year. I hope I forever cherish the memories of Charlie exclaiming, “It’s a surprise” every time she gets excited to see somebody new. More than anything, I hope I never lose the joy and appreciation that I’ve felt in these initial reconnections.
So wherever you are this weekend, I hope you can high five a stranger, hug a friend, and clink a glass/bottle/can with someone special that you’re reuniting with. Celebrate this weekend like it’s long overdue, and never forget how you felt during Memorial Day Weekend 2021. Because once you’re fully vaxxed, it feels damn good to be back.
Cheers,
Kevin
The Janiec Reflection 