I Got Your Back...Side

Friendship is often subjected to lame cliche statements in an attempt to magnify the deep bonds of relationship.  It's not uncommon to be encouraged with phrases such as "lean on me" or "I got your back."  Rarely do these statements get put to the test in the manner I'm about to share.

During the summer of 1989, four young adults took to the waters of magnificent (uh, not really) Lake Springfield in Springfield, IL.  Tara, Valerie, my best friend Mike, and myself launched my Dad's motorboat into the murky waters for an afternoon of skiing and tubing.  Tara, aka my "little sister" (not really, but we grew up with each other) was not known for being a particularly good driver on land, but her liability on land became an awesome spectacle on the water.  Tubing while she drove was always an adventure.  She perfected a way to create big waves, would allow for a lot of slack to develop in the rope, then would hammer it down and you would be praying to God and holding on for dear life; Awesome!

Mike has always been a great friend.  At my wedding in 2006, he was awesome; being helpful, funny, keeping everyone in a good mood, and generally being himself.  He's always "someone you can count on" (hey, there's a cliche).  This day in 1989, his generosity and care for a friend led him to a place he never expected.

While Mike and I decided to ride the tube together, Tara drove in her consistently chaotic matter, churning up choppy waves and plowing through them.  After waging battle for an unknown amount of time, Tara finally dealt the fatal blow and Mike and I went flying through the air.  The force of the landing was jarring.  When you are wearing a life vest and still end up several feet under water, you know the wipe out is nearly legendary.  In the chaos of the wipe out, Mike reached out to "lend a hand" (cliche #72) to me.  Unfortunately for him, his right hand met my left butt check.  Even more unfortunate for him the force of the crash had pulled my swimming trunks down to my knees.

Creating an entirely new friendship cliche such as "I got your back...side" was not what either of us envisioned that sunny summer day.  I also didn't expect to feel the strong grasp of a friends hand on my behind, and I didn't know that Mike could let out such a disturbing squeal either.  Some friendships are cemented by sharing hopes and dreams, some by celebration, but few have been sealed with a moment such as this.  For some reason, Proverbs 27:6 comes to mind..."Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." I'm sure Mike was somehow emotionally wounded that day...he is a faithful friend...and I know he's got my backside if I ever need him!