I got together with an old friend last night, which is universally acknowledged as one of the best ways to spend an evening. We walked downtown and halfway to Bothell, running all over our small hometown to the library, the grocery, and the dollar store, because hey, why not? I found an ancient hardback copy of some Grimms Fairytales, so it’s safe to say that was the best dollar I’ve spent in a while.

We traipsed under the light of the half-moon and meandered through the dark of Swamp Creek Park, all the while catching up on relationships and adventures. Since I’ve seen her, she’s been to the Ukraine, Russia, Switzerland, Canada, and spent an extended period of time in Alaska. It kind of puts my four months living out of a backpack in California to shame.

People describe me as enthusiastic, excitable, adventurous, and bohemian…but in my mind, these words describe Mägi, not me. When you are often treated as “the crazy friend” it’s really weird to hang out with your crazy friend and realize that this is, more or less, how people see you.

Like most extremoverts, I’m kind of a social chameleon. I adapt my personality to the circumstances. So naturally, I am at my most energetic and fast-past when I’m hanging out with Mägi. She moves at a million miles a minute and is always blossoming with creative and thoughtful ideas, so I have to think and dance double time to keep up with her. I love it. Most of the time, I feel like I’m slowing myself down or curbing my enthusiasm for the sake of my fellow conversationalists. Even still though, Mägi makes me feel like I’m moving in slow motion. I envy her, I love her, I adore her. She’s a true kindred spirit. Sometimes, I feel like the only differences between us is that she embodies the person I strive to be.

I heard once that “hell is when the person you are meets the person you could have become,” but every time I meet with Mägi and see her seizing all the potential that I haven’t fully taken advantage of, it isn’t hell, it’s inspiring. If it weren’t for her example and guidance, I don’t think I would have been able to take off last spring and head down into the Nevadan desert with nothing but my backpack and busking costume. Friends that push you to be the best possible incarnation of yourself are the greatest thing life has to offer.

Also, a link to Mägi’s blog. She’s much more adventurous than I am, and always fun to read about.