I met Wes our freshman year prior to an open gym at The College of Wooster. We didn’t really speak much that first semester as varsity (I) and junior varsity (Wes) were strictly separated. Our second semester, Wes and I had two courses together. As many of you know, Wes has no problem making conversation. I am confident that he’s never had as much trouble engaging someone as he had with me during those two classes.
Each class Wes would saunter into the room and ask me how I was doing. I’d stare down at my desk and answer, “alright.” This pattern persisted the entire semester. Wes just wasn’t getting it. I didn’t want to talk to him.
Our sophomore year I transferred schools but returned to Wooster the following year. In my absence, Wes and Smitty became attached at the hip. Trying to make the best of Wooster my second time around, I forced myself to hang out with these teammates. Through the two I was introduced to their good buddy alcohol. Smitty and Wes quickly taught me sober was no way to go through life. This magical potion of theirs could calm me down. It helped me sleep. I was finally able to talk to people…and talk and talk and talk. So for all of you I have offended or will offend in the future, you can thank Smitty and Wes.
Some of my best memories came toward the end of that year. Often Wes and I would sit in our cleaned out dorm rooms, playing one-on-one caps no later than 3:00 in the afternoon.
Looking back, I am amazed at how our friendship has progressed. If my freshman year if someone told me I would be speaking at the wedding of Wes Wright, I would have said one of two things; “who the hell is Wes Wright,” or “do you mean that dueschebag that sits next to me in psychology?”
Few people know Wes and I shared an apartment in Columbus one summer. Few people know because it wasn’t one of my best decisions. Saying Wes lacked cleanliness is an understatement. The smell of the place is hard to describe. Most of the time I just use the word “distinctive,” but in reality it included the odor of warm beer and cheese.
One morning I awoke to find a pizza box on the living room floor. From a distance there also appeared to be something spilled but upon closer inspection it was an army of ants rushing to get a taste of some good pie. I discarded the pizza, sprayed the ants, and called Wes to inform him of what happened. He reacted with accountability and acceptance, but I could sense disappointment in his voice because the pizza was thrown out.
With Emily’s similar reputation, I was a little apprehensive when Wes told me they would be living together in Washington D.C. However, to their credit, the place has been tidy every time I visit. In fact, when the two visited me in New York City, Wes went so far as to clean up a mess Emily left in my bathroom.
I have many more stories like these but taking into account dinner will be served soon, I deem it best to withhold. If you haven’t noticed yet, Wes and I don’t appear to have much in common. I’m clean; he’s not. He’s affable and I am occasionally labeled quiet. Wes is an optimist; I am a pessimist. He cheers Duke and Lebron; I support UNC and Jordan. I am devastatingly attractive and, well…My point is, despite our differences our friendships works.
Wes can make any relationship work. He’s reliable, sympathetic, understanding, fun and well-rounded. When around Wes, you can’t help but let his enthusiasm and energy rub off on you. He’s always gone beyond anything I have asked of him. I know he continue to be all these things and more with Emily.