i called ben in new york about kara's ticket to baltimore and i was like: hey!
ben: hey! i called you the other day.
me: i know, why?
ben: i had to tell you something.
me: what?
ben: you are awesome.
me: what?
ben: i just needed to tell you that you are awesome and amazing and wonderful.
me: me? really? what for?
ben: you just are, and i just really needed to say that to you.
me: wow. thank you.

and ben ben ben, has been my friend for so long, since eighth grade, and so much of our friendship has been pain for me. but if you'd asked me before that conversation, if it was worth it, i'd say yes, absolutely, which is rare for me, to be so sure.

that conversation is just a bonus. an absolutely bigger than big smile worthy bonus.