IRL Meetup with 
There are friends you meet along the way who you just know are keepers. For me, that’s . It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other or what’s going on in life; when we get together, it’s like no time has passed at all. That’s why, when I found myself in San Diego last weekend, the first thing on my mind was grabbing an In-N-Out burger with one of the best people I know.
It wasn’t our first rodeo— and I have been tight for what feels like forever. It started like most legendary friendships do: a chance meeting in some random online space. A comment here, a joke there, and pretty soon we were going back and forth like we’d been friends our whole lives. Over the years, we’ve bonded over everything from music to memes to the insane randomness of life. And I’ve got to say, nothing beats hanging out with someone who just gets you.
So there we were, on a sunny San Diego afternoon, chilling at In-N-Out like the old-school buds we are. I got my usual Double-Double, and went for a classic cheeseburger, animal style—because we all know that’s the way to do it. We grabbed a table outside, just soaking in the California sun and shooting the breeze like we always do.
We talked about the old days, remembering the crazy stuff we’ve pulled off together. From staying up late talking about music and obscure memes to the countless inside jokes we’ve built over the years, there’s just something about our connection that’s hard to put into words. It’s like we’ve been syncing up since day one, and no matter how much time passes or what life throws our way, that bond only gets stronger.
Somewhere between fries and shaking off a food coma, we spotted something stuck to the side of the bench next to us: a sticker. Not just any sticker, though—this one was for some random acoustic musician neither of us had ever heard of.
“Check this guy out!” the sticker practically screamed, with a link to a signup list for Hive. We both looked at each other and knew what had to be done.
Now, you’d think two grown-ass adults might pass on such shenanigans, but nope. We whipped out our phones and signed up right there, laughing the whole time. He joked like he was shielding his phone - pretending he dodnt want me tonknow his username 🤣 Homeboy had no idea what kind of chaos he’d just invited into his inbox!
That’s the thing with —there’s never a dull moment. Whether we’re geeking out over some obscure piece of trivia or signing up for a random mailing list just because we can, it’s always an adventure. And that’s what makes this friendship so solid. It’s not just about the big moments or the life-changing stuff (although we’ve seen our fair share of those too). It’s about the simple joy of hanging out, being ourselves, and finding the fun in the little things. You can’t fake that kind of connection—it’s the real deal.
As we finished our meal, the conversation shifted to the future—what we’re working on, what’s coming next, and, of course, when we’re going to hang out again. There’s something grounding about having a friend like . No matter what’s going on in life, I know they’ve got my back, and I’ve got theirs. That kind of loyalty? You don’t find it every day.
And let’s be real—how many friends would sign up for a random musician’s mailing list with you at a burger joint in the middle of San Diego? Exactly.
Before we parted ways, we made plans to meet up again soon. Maybe another In-N-Out run. Maybe somewhere new. Who knows? But one thing’s for sure: wherever we end up, it’s going to be another legendary day in the chronicles of our friendship.
As I headed out, I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how lucky I am to have a friend like . We’ve been through a lot together, and we’ve got plenty more memories to make. Whether we’re grabbing burgers, talking late into the night, or diving into some random adventure like signing up for a musician’s mailing list on a whim, it’s always good times with them.
So here’s to —one of the real ones. Can’t wait for our next adventure. True friends are friends forever!