The One with the Kiss Cam

by Cindy Steel

this is the first thing I’ve been a part of without them holding my hand. I didn’t realize how much I needed something of my own until I didn’t have their voices in my head anymore. They’ve been trying to control me for my whole life, you know? They’re always nice about it, but it’s still a manipulative move. It’s almost like they’re so concerned with making sure I’m successful that they don’t trust me to do it on my own.”

I can support you, but you’re the one who has to let go of my shoulders and let yourself fly. Without that, we’re going to fall every time.”

Each picture held big smiles and the bright excitement of childhood on their faces.

“What do you want out of this life, then?”

“Hope and fear like to think they can occupy the same space, but there is only room for one. It’s up to you to decide.

“The point is, reward takes risk. Life is messy. People are messy. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but oftentimes, it can be even better than perfect.”

“There are so many things you miss in life when you pass off everything you deem not worth your time. Things too small for you. But the five dollar decisions are where the people are. Where humanity is. That’s where the real lessons are learned.

I laughed and gave Mike and Ryan each a hug of gratitude, feeling, once again, how amazing the effect of one random night could be on a life.