March 17, 2019 – South Lake Tahoe, California

Mobile status: Engaged.

As I’m walking downtown with my friend Melissa, I’m reminded how good it feels to have everything I own back in my car and ready to move on. Though I’ll be here for another month, my roommate decided to sublet her place so she wouldn’t be stuck paying rent on her own when I move on. Smart play, Emma. This presented me with an unexpected challenge—where will I live for my last month in Tahoe?

We meet up with Melissa’s boyfriend, Andrew, at Hangar for a beer (My sobriety ended after two months for two reasons: the aforementioned family member I was supporting fell off the wagon, and my cousin Kelsey came to Kirkwood for a weekend. I had to show her a good time, right?). We sit around a fire and socialize. They ask me about my time house sitting for my friend “Steve.” (He left for an overseas ski trip for two weeks at the exact time that I needed to be out of Emma’s place, providing us with a mutually beneficial arrangement.)

Serendipity meter: Elevated.

Andrew drops us off at Steamers, where a number of our coworkers are already gathered to watch a performance by one of their significant others. We have a couple drinks. Enjoy the show. Talk to friends. Not a bad St. Patty’s day so far. Someone suggests a move to McP’s Irish Pub; we catch a ride with Chef Phil and pick up Camila on the way (two more of my closer friends here). Our group avoids the chaos inside, instead gathering around a raised fireplace on their patio.

Our night comes to an end at the Hard Rock Casino, where Phil has a room for the night. We head there for a beverage as I propose a toast to him and Courtney (our manager) for carrying us through the season as well as they have. I mean every word. We hit the casino floor and I give Melissa, Camila, and Luke a lesson at the craps table. Shortly afterwards, we call it a night and say goodbye to our coworkers. Luke (our designated driver) takes us home.

Friendship level: Overflowing.

“I am wealthy in my friends.” – William Shakespeare