I have known Adriana for many years.  We met working together in Fine Dining at an upscale steak house.  Through our time together, we became fast friends, leading to a deep friendship that I have cherished throughout the years.  Although we have moved onto different career paths, we have stayed in contact and regularly spend time together, having dinner at each others houses with family, or meeting for coffee.  Every time we meet I always feel like I am leaving a better person.  Adriana really puts difficult things into perspective and can turn a tough situation into a growing experience.  It is something that has impressed me throughout our friendship.  I always feel as though I learned something new after having spent time together.            

 Let me tell you a story.  I am an addict, always have been, always will be.  Ever since a young age, I felt the need to fill a void within myself with anything I could, of course leading to abusing drugs and alcohol.  Working in the restaurant world, it was very easy to live this lifestyle without obvious repercussions for many years.  In that world, it is very common to go out for post work drinks on a daily basis, coupled of course with other illicit activities.  I, however, turned it into a morning to night routine, having a steady stream of alcohol or some sort of drug fueling me throughout the day and night.  Neither I, nor many other people saw this as an issue.  In her deep sense of care and observation, Adriana was always trying to help me see that I was destroying myself.  I was not ready to listen.  It got to a point that I began to get in trouble at work, and it eventually led to a week long suspension.  I was in a downward spiral, keeping the party going while I was not working.  Adriana took it upon herself to reach out to me, and make sure I was still alive and well.  Most would, and did, not take it upon themselves to check in on me, nor would I expect them to.  While I was most definitely not well, and continuing to descend into terror, Adriana showed up with healthy food and kind company.  When she brought dinner from our restaurant, steak and asparagus to my apartment, I was speechless.  Needless to day, eating food was not high on my priority list.  I did not know how to react to such unconditional care, pure desire to make sure I was OK.  Her questions came not from a place of judgement, but a place of concern.  I never felt lesser than, and the shame I felt was purely my own, not brought on by being seen in such a vulnerable state.  Although it took me some time to achieve sobriety even after my troubles at work, I am now happy to say I will be 6 years sober this year.  Guess who has been in my corner throughout, the tough times and the happy times, that’s right, Adriana!  I now have a friendship that extends to her family, and I can’t express how lucky I feel to be able to enjoy dinners and activities with her whole family! 

 All of that to say, Adriana has an amazing ability to see through the parts within yourself that you hate, and draw attention to the person you want to be.  They say hindsight is 20/20, and I wish that I could go back and listen to Adriana’s advice way before I did!  Adriana and I will be lifelong friends, and I am blessed to continue to grow and learn from her incredible soul.