Thanks for being there

I met my friend Reuven three years ago this fall. I never, ever thought I meet anyone like him in a million years. I'll never forget the first words he said to me, "Hi, my name is Reuven Fridmar. What's up?" I looked at him and said, "You're not from here, are you?" He said, "No, homie, I've lived in Kazakhstan and Israel." When I heard that, I looked at him and said, "You're from where?" He said to me, "It's a province in Russia - I'm the original Borat." With that comment, I just started laughing and thought, "I don't know what this guy's deal is, but man, if he does this all the time, I might keep him around."

As time moved on, I realized he was a little different than a lot of the guys I've known and had been friends with in the past - believe it or not, a lot of them have been kind of fake compared to him, excluding the ones at Hillel. Yeah, he loved sports and music, but he was totally dedicated to his mom and wasn't afraid to admit it either. He worked hard at school and his job, but yet, he actually made time for his friends, which was great for people like me or whoever he hangs out with. The funny thing was I could have the worst day in the world, but yet, I'd forget about it whenever I'd talk to him.

When I had to take a break from going to Hillel last year - mostly due to bad relationships, my schoolwork, health problems, and other situations - it hurt so bad because not only was I away from the friends I spent all this time getting to know but I was away from my "Borat." The first thing I did when I came back was I told Reuven about my epilepsy and Attention Deficit Disorder, which actually wasn't the easiest thing to do. Looking back now, I don't know why I was so scared, but I guess it was because I didn't know how he was going to react and people in my past, e.g. former friends, who had taken advantage of me. Interestingly enough, he actually cared and still does. There have been some things I've told him about myself that I wouldn't tell anyone else because I trust him to keep my secrets.

One night during Shabbat, we were hanging out with some of our friends, and he noticed a necklace I was wearing. It was actually a chain I wear with my grandpa's ring on it: it's a blue sapphire ring that he got for his first communion. I let Reuven try it on, even though it didn't fit his finger. Afterwards, he asked me about my grandpa, as difficult as it was. During this time, I had decided to talk about my disabilities with our friends which went fairly well. Afterwards, I got a little emotional during that conversation, and he said at the end of the night, "Since you're on HubPages with my mom, why don't you write about him? It might help you out." I told him, "I haven't done any real writing, like the type you do for fun, since high school. No one really has ever encouraged me the way you have since then."

So my first Hub that really meant something to me ended up being about my grandpa, with thanks to him. However, along with his support and everyone else's this semester, I did really well in school this semester: I was really surprised to have a GPA of 3.3! Overall, everyone has been so supportive of me looking for work since I lost my last job.

I really don't play favorites with anyone at Hillel - don't get me wrong. It's just that Reuven's the one who keeps me laughing when I need a laugh. He was the one I first came to when I wanted to talk about my disabilities. When I went through one of my bad relationships, he was right there to talk me through and tell me that I should get help and talk to someone about it. I'll be crying the day he graduates from Marquette.

I feel lucky that I have a friend, among the 50 or so I've met at Hillel, who is willing to do so much for me and be there for me. In return, I am willing to do the same for him. I'm sure he'd stick up for me in a heartbeat as would anyone else at Hillel because I know I'd do it for him and the same goes for anyone at Hillel. After all, we are a little family. Whenever something bad happens to Israel, it affects us all.

P.S. Reuven, if you're reading this and I know you are since you edit your mom's hubs, first of all, if I left anything out, I'm sorry.  Feel free to comment or add things in.  Second, I hope you enjoy your surprise.  Lastly, I mean every word I wrote here - this wasn't the easiest thing to write, but I wouldn't write this for any other guy in my life (outside my family) except for you because well, you deserve it.  :)