The then and now. I reflect on how 10 days in the mountains of Colon, Mexico can change our lives including mine. During my junior year in college in 2019, I decided to volunteer on a mission trip through an org called FOCUS. We played soccer all day with the kids, prayed in the morning and nights, and created life long friendships. That’s how I met my friends from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse – the other school that volunteered with mine.
With less travel plans this year than I had last year, I evaluated my 3 day weekends that the company gives us. I saw MLK weekend had an opportunity to go see some friends up in the dairy state. I literally had not seen the Jaime’s (Lydia & Ricardo) since 2019– the year we did the trip and the Simon’s in 2021– when they got married. The distance, days, and time, never kept us a part and we were always close at heart. I messaged the crew and the timing and the schedules all aligned– I was headed to Wisconsin.
This trip was so special to me. Not only because I hadn’t seen the crew in 4-6 years, but I was excited to soak in some real R&R time. Away from the desk, the busy day to day chores in Jax, no business meetings, no parties or concerts and no jam packed schedule, me getting to see SNOW, and overall I was with my Colon fam(ily). Bigger bonus– I met the extended little Colon babies.
My friends and family are impressed at how I build genuine connections. But they’re even more shocked at how I manage to do adulting things, work a full time job, commit to my personal hobbies AND keep in touch with friends from all over the place. I’d like to say I do my best to send hand written letters, schedule weekly/bi-weekly/monthly/semi-annual texts or calls, and pray from a distance. The thing Lydia and I talked about while driving to the cheese store is this: As you get older and priorities change, friendships can be hard to keep up with. But if both parties respect each other’s time and understand they care for one another no matter how much time passes without seeing each other, that’s what truly matters. Because friendship is like a bridge — it requires both sides to hold it up. When I meet the families of the friends I went on mission trips with, it’s like we all instantly click. And I know they can tell how much this trip meant to each of us and the impact it had in our lives.
My stomach and heart are so full from the weekend trip visiting friends I haven’t seen in so long. Eating all day, trying Spotted Cow and real cheese curds, only understanding 3 sentences during spanish Mass, the random heart to hearts about adulting and growing up, reminiscing on college and Mexico, laughing over heart shaped balloons, movie night (everyone fell ASLEEP and I wish I did too– the movie was a BUST!), twinkies and icecream, stocking up on a coffee– I am eternally grateful for it all.
It was -10 to -5 °F out in Alma Center. Despite the brutally cold weather, I felt my heart melt instantly. There’s no doubt that WI’ll always have this friendship.
Jamie Vergara 