BROTHERHOOD
This photo was taken at our good friend Devin’s 50th birthday. Although Devin was delightfully pre-occupied at this moment, her husband Mark is at the center, anchoring the gravity of the moment. Three of us (me, (left) Stevan (right), and Marco (next to Stevan)) have turned 50 during the pandemic, along with Devin.
What goes unseen in the silliness of the poses is the deep support and love these men hold for each another. Beyond surviving the pandemic together, we’ve held each other through massive changes in our lives; children, marriages, businesses, and our unfolding understanding of ourselves. There is no way to overstate the role we’ve played in each others' lives and growth.
While it’s folly to assume what other communities are like, the depth of our mutual support transcends cultural norms, and inspires us each to more fully move forward with confidence and courage to into an uncertain world, moving through milestones together, including a recognition of the depth of a 50th birthday. Here’s to a happy birthday for us all!
(L to R: me, Quayle Hodek, Mark Jordahl, Marco Lam, Stevan Simich)