After a week or two of stressing about planning a going away party for my very good friend, it happened this past Saturday night. My date actually arrived a few minutes before I did. She had called me before and asked what I thought she should wear and I was no help at all. But I have to say she looked beautiful in her black dress. Anyway, we all met at spot #1 and took a LYFT to dinner. My date was immediately in the middle of conversation. It’s always a GREAT sign when your date gets along with everyone in this environment. It’s also a great sign when your date eats all their food. And she did. But I’m not saying that in a bad way. I would much rather my date eat all her food than leave a $40 steak on her plate. Our next stop was a gas station. This was actually an unscheduled stop. But it was one of those gas stations that are known for selling great street tacos. So, what does my date do? 15 minutes after steak, mac and cheese and whatever else we had at the steakhouse, she takes her short and tight black dress into the gas station to get 2 boxes of tacos. We all gave her a hard time but it was all good.

Then, 30 minutes later, our party bus arrived at my bar and the karaoke portion of the party could begin. It was a bittersweet party. I was so happy that everything was going well. But I was also sad that this was going to be the last time that I would be hanging out with my friend. At the end of the night, we hugged and that was pretty much it. My date went home. My friend went home. And I went home. And now, he’s already back in South Carolina to begin the next chapter in his life.