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Remembering My Best Friend |
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Ben was my very best friend. I have never felt closer, more open and more able to be myself around anyone as I felt around him. I have been left with so many priceless memories and good times that all I can do is thank God for bringing such a special and unique person into my life. He always knew how to make me feel better whenever I was down. I would call him when I was having a bad day at work, and just say, “Ben, make me laugh,” within five minutes that kid would have me laughing and feeling better by telling me – “I have belts, belts are on sale at Cintas - $9.99 but I can get you a deal, $8.99 for you.” I would just laugh and laugh. He always seemed to know when I needed a pick me up. I remember so many times checking my voicemails and hearing. “Hi my name is Ben and I work at Cintas,” only he could say that in his certain tone and make me laugh hysterically. I always felt like him and I were magnetic together, we had such a great chemistry and I could not get enough of him. He was always over at my house and would stay and sleep over so much that our couch is stained blue from his jeans. I remember us staying up so many times – me in my bed under the covers, and him lying on “his couch” as he called it in my room, and we would talk until 5 or later in the morning. We would talk about how wonderful our families were, and how lucky we had been to have two wonderful parents who loved us so much, and would do anything for us. We shared high school stories, and talked about our previous loves of our lives. Those talks were the best because I could see how genuine and real Ben was. He was such an awesome guy, and did so many things with and for me that most guys wouldn’t ever think about. For Valentine’s Day, I remember him calling me and saying, “What are you doing?” “Nothing,” I told him, “What are you doing?” “Nothing,” he said, and proceeded to come over with a heart-shaped box of chocolates and some bud light. He said when he went to Rite-Aid to make his purchase, the lady at the register asked who the lucky lady was, and told him that he was so romantic. I thought that was a great present, we just hung out at my house all night talking on the porch, “feasting” as Ben would say on chocolates and Bud Light. He would also call me so that we would be on our cell phones and do our grocery shopping together. We would talk about our purchases, and how much we loved Marie Calendar’s microwavable meals. One of my favorite memories of Ben and I together is when we went to the pumpkin patch for Halloween. Ben wanted to feed the goats, so we did that, and then he wanted to buy some corn husks and squash, because he said it was “festive” for the holiday and his mom always set that kind-of-stuff out so he felt like he was at home. Then he wanted to buy the biggest pumpkin they had. He was haggling with the man saying “C’mon, who else is gonna buy that pumpkin! I’ll give you a hundred bucks, right now!” I was cracking up! He bought jewels to decorate his pumpkin with, and stencils too. He was really into it. We ended up spending two nights carving our pumpkins, and Ben said his looked “Bad Ass.” I also remember going to see a Radiohead concert together. They are my favorite band, and Ben knew this. He had a friend that was supposed to get us great tickets for free. Well, the night before the concert, that guy bailed, and I was really bummed. We went on Ebay and Ben bought us both tickets because he felt bad. The concert was awesome, and after we back to my house and watched Radiohead videos until we both fell asleep on the couch. We had a really great night. My favorite memory of Ben is when we went to the Orange County Fair together. We ate so much food that night, corn, funnel cakes, beef sticks, pizza and stuffed potatoes. He said he fair made him feel like he was at home in Texas. Ben loved playing the games. He had spent so much money trying to win this care bear I wanted that finally I was like, ok Ben, no more games for us. But every time I turned around he was talking to the guys behind the counters trying to make a deal to get more darts to hit the balloons, so he could get more bang for his buck! I felt to use the restroom, and was like Ben, no more games. Of course when I came back he had bought about 50 rings to throw around coke bottles, I just laughed and joined in the fun. Well, would you believe he got it around the one that won the biggest prize! Ben wanted the big purple monkey. He was walking around all night with that thing on his shoulders asking random people how they were doing and telling them, “I’m alright except for this monkey on my back!” People were cracking up! I had such a great time that night. We also celebrated our birthdays together, since they were a week apart. For may 22nd, he took me and some friends to dinner, I thought that was so nice. But last year we topped it when we got a limo and went out to Newport with a bunch of friends. That was one of the best nights of my life, and I will never forget how much fun we had. We also went to Laughlin and Las Vegas together several times. I refused to go Vegas unless Ben was there. It’s hard to explain, but he just make the trip so much better. I could not picture being there without his company. We had movie dates and dinner dates. I can picture us at BJ’s Pizza so clearly talking for hours about our lives… work, family, friends and relationships. Ben was always such a great listener and advice giver, while adding humor to all situations. I can picture Ben coming and waking me up and says “Champagne Breezy (Champagne Brunch),” and we would go and have lunch with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I can picture us eating “Texas Eggrezies (Texas Egg rolls)” at the Roadhouse Grill for happy hour on Friday’s, I can picture us a “Fred’s” in Huntington Beach and I can picture us dancing to “Pour some sugar on me,” by Led Zeplin at “Sharky’s” in Newport Beach. We got the dance floor started. The two of us would do that a lot when we were out together. We would start dancing and then Ben would pull people off the Bar stools and make hem join in with us. He had this aura surrounding him that made everyone want to be a part of whatever he was involved in. Ben has made such a huge impact on my life, and was such a big part of it. I pretty much only went out with him, and when I wasn’t out with him, we would be on our phones talking about or night. I always remember him telling me “not to be scared.” His sayings will live on forever , as will the memory of the amazing friend he was. I have never experienced friendship like I have with him. Once he befriended you, he would be your friend for life. His personality affected you so deeply. The first time you met him, you felt like you knew him for years. He was the light in the room, and the person that everyone was drawn to. His smile would do things to you, and that’s what I remember so vividly. I can picture him dancing and smiling, and that’s how I will always see him. He will always be a fun loving 24 year old in my mind, with a full head of hair (he was so worried about that!). He has touched my life in so many ways and I have been left with many priceless memories. So Thank You, Garcia Family for Ben. My Life has been changed because of him, and I will never forget him, my Best Friend. Love – Jennifer Estabrook |
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