Strangers=>Best Friends=>GOONZ

Most people can say that they met their life long friends back when they were kids or back in pre-k. I never had that at all. My family moved around a lot a when I was a kid so of course I had friends no matter where we were but we never stayed in touch. When we settled down in South Florida, went to middle school and high school in the same town and even then I made friends but we either grew apart or never really stayed in touch.

It wasn't till I was attending an art university in Miami that I met some of the most amazing human beings in my life and I am blessed to call them my friends. I met each one so differently and fate would have it that we ended up know each other from one thing or another. Friend of a friend and so on.

Thus the Goonz. Of course we all had to move away from each other but we keep in touch nearly every week if not everyday. We must be the stranger group of friends. Like the Breakfast Club of artists. To the point we have our own animals: Owl, Eagle, Koala Queens of the East and West (they are so much a like to the point of being twins), and Glasswing. 

I am the Glasswing Butterfly because my nature photography mainly dealt with butterflies and they wanted me to be the most unique token butterfly.

I met one while working at the college, the Owl. An animator and he became my coworker in the IT department. At first I didn't like him because as I look back I took his trying to be friends and accepted moves as clingy and weird. How stupid was I. It wasn't till my other fake ass friend/coworker was being cruel to him that I saw their true colors. To think there was a time I didn't enjoy his company is baffling to me. He puts his heart into everything he does and into everyone that comes in his life. He will call me now just to check up on me or just to say hi even when he's having a rough day. The world needs more Owls.

The Koala Queens are like those sprites or fairies in stories that come along and make everything magical and better. Koala Queen of the East (KQE) is a film maker and I met her first when she came to the IT department to check out filming equipment. I wasn't till she helped me with a photoshoot that we hit it off. She was dating a real piece of work at the time and I think having that extra girl power in her corner was a good thing for her. KQE is an amazing person who is open to the world in ways I didn't think were possible and its truly admirable.

I met Koala Queen of the West (KQW), the sculptor and painter of the group, in the hall with Owl and we were all admiring one of the faculty members. I know that sounds weird but she was one of those gorgeous plus size women that made even the skinniest girl jealous. KQW had said something along those lines and we just started talking. It was like we had known each other all our lives and just catching up on the events of the day. She is usually acceptant to everyone but is she accepts you into her life and into her heart, you are truly blessed. I feel blessed. She even confided in me that she was 'secretly' dating the next Goon before she told the rest of the gang.

The Eagle, the sketch and visual artist, not to mention he's the walking encyclopedia. He perfect combo of badass and teddy bear and strives for pull the very best out of us. This is probably has my favorite story about how we met. One of our mutual friends liked to throw parties in his apartment and of course we drank a lot at the time. So Eagle, KQW, and I are sitting at the table together talking some he plainly asks if my boobs were real out of nowhere...remember we were all drunk. Of course I said yes. He didn't believe me and asked me if he could touch one. Any other time or day I would've have smacked him in his face, but 1) I was drunk, 2) KQW was right there and genuinely curious too. So I was like sure what the hell. He wasn't a creeper looking to cop a feel. He gave a little squeeze like he was testing a pillow and was like holy shit those are awesome. KQW was like I know right. So I met the Eagle over my boobs.

I am so blessed and lucky for my Goonz but this also proves the cover is not the book. Look at yourself like a tree, There are people who are meant to be leaves and twigs there for a season. If you give all of yourself to them you're gonna fall and hurt yourself. And that's ok. They were only there to teach you lessons. But if you can find those few people that are roots and rooted in your life then you have all you'll ever need. I have all I will ever need. 

Probably the longest post I'll probably ever do and I wish I could say more wonderful things about them. 

You got a great story about how you and your friends met or how you stay in touch, remember to comment below.

Have a great and give your friends a call.

Amy