I recently opened up about losing my best friend Armani to someone who knows very little about me. She asked me, “did you know him for a long time?”

I paused, thought about it, and mustered out, "No, but he was my best friend during the best years of my life.” 

When memories were being made, when focusing on fun was the norm, when the stresses of life were obsolete. 

At least, that’s the way it felt when I was around him. 

I write speeches for a living, usually about someone else’s best friend, and at times it makes me think of mine. I read through all these memories and lovable characteristics about the groom, and I then craft the words that uplift this person on their big wedding day. 

It’s a constant battle to bypass the emotions that come but I think the love and memories I experienced with Armani assist me when it comes to crafting an unforgettable speech. 

I miss him and I’m at times jealous of these people I’ve never met before. I’m jealous they get to grow older together and can reminisce about the good times, and I’m even more jealous they can live life like there are plenty more to come. 

I hate that life just has to move forward. It feels as if good times have stood still or at least come around less often the further away I get from October 6th, 2020. 

I’m grateful for the best friends that are still here as well as the loving family God has blessed me with. And most days that helps me get through the pain, but it gets heavy sometimes and I don’t always know how to handle it. So I thought I’d write about it today.

Armani was just such a different breed of human. Armani the Angel is what I refer to him as nowadays. He left such an imprint on the people in his life and I wish I got more years with him. 

I wish I was able to answer that person's question with “Yeah I knew him since I was five years old.” But that’s not the reality. He was the best friend I lived with during the best years of my life. I was young, dumb, and full of fun! 

Noah was a wild 3-year-old who loved having Armani as his roommate. Armani was there during the time “K Sarge” was entering my life. And Armani was the glue that kept the squad together whenever we rolled out for a weekend of fun.

I miss his energy, his vibe, his soft spirit, and his laugh that made his neck fly back. I miss his stories, his excitement over a new song, and his willingness to do anything and everything. Grief is a slow burn that reappears when you least expect it. 

Armani is always on my heart and it sucks being the guy who has to constantly miss his best friend. 

I’ll see you on the other side Papi. 

Do you have an Armani Vibin with Jesus Shirt?