Prologue:
I get so caught up in using writing as a tool to expel toxicity in my brain. I often put bright spots on hold or are in my drafts. Though I post about it on my private accounts for friends and family, I often find it difficult to find time to celebrate because writing when indignant helps me detox.
But it’s good to reflect, look back, and celebrate.
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When Porter announced the Nurture tour making its way to Red Rocks in February, Aya and I lost our shit. Too bad I had work. At the time, my focus was just to get through to President’s Day so Aya and I could make our way to Seattle for my birthday.
Fast forward through March (see my 28th birthday post for more details) Spring Break was upon us by the end of the month. As of pandemic, my usual plan is just to go down and spend quality time with Aya. And the FOMO in me just day dreamed about seeing Nurture live again at Red Rocks.
During lockdown in 2020, Aya and I had spent a lot of time watching DJ sets at Red Rocks. It just looked breath taking. I decided to stare at the Nurture Red Rocks post on Porter’s Instagram again. I looked through his give away for free tickets and figured why not sign up.
“Friday, April 1st, 2022”
My eyes widened and I looked at the calendar I have on my white board. Friday, April 1st was the weekend capping off Spring Break. I didn’t win tickets, but I did text Aya “I also just noticed that Porter’s Red Rocks show is the end of my Spring Break 👀 should we try going???? ”
This was our first offical trip together, if you will. At least the one where I got clearance with her parents. Although Colorado air was hella dry, it was really fun exploring another part of the country. Seeing Nurter live at Red Rocks was the perfect way to experience that venue. I wouldn’t have wanted our first visit to Red Rocks be any other way.
Colorado itself was really fun. I wish we had more days there to explore and eat our way through Denver. Maybe one day we’ll go to Aspen when it snows.
The following week was Aya’s long-awaited commencement. Our alma mater, University of San Francisco, finally hosted a ceremony for the graduates of 2020 & 2021. This was a well-deserved ceremony for Aya, our friends, and her family. It was honestly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Though it was 3 years in the making, it was really cool to see a lot of our friends graduate with Aya.
Definitely, something I envied because I graduated alone. Though I had some classmates/friends I knew. It wasn’t with people who were my closest friends in college at the time. It was so fulfilling to see that multiple graduating classes of our friends and housemates got to celebrate and relish this moment together.
This same weekend Aya and I met Tim Hardaway after he was inducted into the hall of fame. We didn’t know it was him at first, especially cuhs neither of us know basketball like that. Though we didn’t get a photo, I can say that I bought Tim Hardaway a shot of Casamigos to celebrate his induction.
We went to Napa later that weekend where I got to experience some great food and wine tasting for the first time. Our parents finally met at Aya’s graduation dinner. It was really a memorable and joyous few weeks.
Balasbas Says 