My Friend Dan

Dan is my best friend.

He’s enjoyed that status for nearly two years. I’ve had a best friend before him, and I’m positive another will fight for his spot on the mantle, but for now he’s number one.

We weren’t always best friends. Once we were lukewarm co-workers who treaded gingerly around inane chit-chat as we groped blindly through our promotion at a job neither one of us liked. In fact, we didn’t like each other at first. Somehow the ice was broken, and a friendship was allowed to blossom.

I’ve watched as Dan entered fatherhood. I’ve watched as he struggled to rediscover his place amidst the workforce as we — along with over 100 of our subordinates — were laid off in late 2010. We’ve shared laughter and a couple of tears, several cups of coffee and a few glasses of beer.

Dan has since rejoined the ranks of the employed, as have I. But there’s now a significant distance between us, one that has not tempered our status as each other’s best friend. I’ll be there when he gets married, just as he’ll attend my funeral.

If I ever enjoy fabulous wealth, I’m inclined to share some with him. Then I’ll change my name, move to a foreign country and sever all ties with everyone.

Until then, Dan will still be my best friend.