When I was 15

I had to take a long, hot shower this morning because the seasons are beginning to change and here in Chicago that means the temperature has dropped significantly and rapidly. With that, I was cold when I woke up so I had to steam it out. Whilst doing so, I had some time to think and reflect back on my adolescence. With my 30th birthday coming up in just a little over a week, I realized that when I was 15, that was half of my life ago, up to this point. It's a rather daunting thought, but helped me put things into perspective.

When I was 15 I was a sophomore in high school and I was still getting acclimated to being surrounded by an entirely new group of people and making friends. I was living in a St. Louis suburb called Oakville and even that situation was awkward as I was a part of a blended family and still trying to find my way in a new neighborhood with kids a few years younger than me. Luckily, I found my solace in getting a job at Frankie G's Grill and Bar. Yes, I had a job right after I turned 15 - I was a go-getter! Actually, being a younger kid among my classmen, I knew I had to save up some money in order to buy a car in time for my 16th birthday. For the first year of my employment I had to fetch rides from dishwashers and fellow busboys who really thought they were cool.

Anyway, so that job was pretty much a life changer, as I've mentioned before in the past. Aside from high school, college, and family, just about every single person I've become friends with since my first day at Frankie G's has been a result of either working there with them, or an encounter initiated by someone who works there. I've been the Best Man in 3 weddings - all a result of relationships made at that bar. I had 6.5 good years at that place, and it all started half my life ago, and that is amazing and I am so thankful for every single relationship made - good, bad, or indifferent...

15 was also about the age when I really learned about drinking beer, and consequently grew an affinity for it (okay, maybe not right away but definitely laying the foundation). Spending your formative years in a bar can do that to you, I guess - oh, the exposure!! In case you were wondering, I still like beer... maybe a little too much sometimes. But now that I am approaching 30, I can definitely feel that I don't party like I used to (when I was older than 15, by the way).

1996 was a good year... learning how to drive a car, and making that transition from a bicycle and all the other things I learned that year have helped shape me into the awesome person that I am today. A lot has changed since then... actually, everything has changed and life is good.

Happy early birthday to me. After I pat myself on the back, I might just go celebrate!