The song remains the same

So Saturday I was able to attend my friend Trey's birthday party. Trey and I were in the marching band, a.k.a. Boot Camp, together and haven't seen each other since 1996, and it was really great to see him again.

Trey was part of a quartet of trombone players we simply referred to as "The Trombones." This is funny to me now, because there were at least 10-12 other trombone players in the section, all good people whose names we knew and spent just as much time with. But Trey, James, Brandon and David were singular boys who stood out from their section and most of the band. They were raucous, funny, bawdy, daring, and mischievous, but could also be kind, loyal, dedicated, talented, and thoughtful. They were both comic relief and musical anchors of our ensemble. Those of us fortunate enough to be in the "Pride of Lion Country" drumline spent about 3-4 hours a day a few yards from these guys, and just grew to love 'em. there are really a thousand stories from literally a hundred people about them. Here's one that's all mine.

My senior year, the fellas all had girlfriends at Homecoming, and as were most band kids, they were strapped for cash. Mums for girlfriends were mandatory at our school, and they were each facing a hefty $35 minimum for a bare-bones, plain mum. They knew that my crafty friend Anja had taught me how to make really good mums, so they asked me if I could do them a big favor and make mums for their girlfriends if they footed the materials bill, which would be next to nothing compared to having one made. I was really honored that they trusted me that much for something that important, because, let's face it, if you give your girlfriend a crummy mum she's got to wear all day in front of her friends, you'll be having an early night after the game.

I spent most of my free time for about two weeks trying to make the best mums I could for them, knowing that they could be in serious hot water if these things sucked. My mom was really amazed and swore they looked like $75 mums, and helped me pack them carefully into boxes for the boys. (Little did I know a few years later, she'd be calling her from her flower shop wanting step-by-step on my technique.) Showtime came Friday morning in the band hall, when I was to make the delivery on the down-low, so that they could spring them on their girls a few minutes later, and no one would be the wiser that they hadn't broken the bank. The surprise was on me, however, as they'd thrown in and gotten me a really pretty mum as a thank-you. And of all the ones I got over the years, and the one I got that day from the guy I dated, I treasured that one the most. Because it was from dear, sweet boys who were my brothers, and have now grown up to be dear, sweet men.

Watching Trey with his lovely wife Cyndi, in their beautiful home being happy, surrounded by friends who enjoy life as much as they do, is really all I could have wished for him. And I'm really, really glad I took a vacation day to see it.