Soul Brother

I didn\’t know someone like you could exist. That I could connect with another human being on such a deep level that it seemed ethereal. When you nearly crushed my foot with your Nikes that windy Sunday afternoon, I didn\’t know I had gained an eternal friend.
That was the first of our many football games together; those we played and those we went to watch in the viewing centres. You always were much braver than I was; suggesting those crazy pranks that we played on roommates, that hike you made us take down that trail, the long trek up the hill…you beat me at everything, well except tennis. Why do you think I always wanted us to go to the court every Saturday?
You were my cheerleader during exams telling me how you knew I would pass even when I was sweaty and afraid, and there was none prouder than you when you heard I made distinctions in my courses even though all you got were credits. That night, when I told you about my parents, the first person I had told since they separated, you didn\’t ruffle my hair and tell me it was alright. Instead, you told me about God. You made me open the Bible and i discovered a world in that I had never known. Then we became brothers in more ways than one.
Our friends called us \’the Siamese.\’ I was either at your room or you were in mine. I didn\’t even know how we had time for girls. But, somehow we did and even though you found yours before mine, you held my hand through the javelins I recieved and the break-ups and fights. You were the first person I told when she said yes. The one I wanted beside me when I said my vows before God and man.
Now, I am glad that twenty years since we first met, you\’re still in my life. Last week I told you, you were getting grey in your hair. And then you pointed out a bald spot in mine. We might change physically, and I believe we\’ll both get to see our grandkids become football stars, but even if we don\’t, I know one thing won\’t change. We\’ll still be best friends and brothers…to the very end.
P.S: Men have generally been perceived as unemotional creatures incapable of real bonds or attachment. However, we do have the Biblical story of David and Jonathan hence such relationships must exist. Do you have a soul brother or know someone that has one? Share your experiences with us.