So like most people I have a best GIRL friend... Kelly AND a best GUY friend... Nela!!!
Nela and I... well... we've been through A LOT! I think even that's an understatement. But oh well... we've had the good, bad, ugly, pretty, hash... and everything in between.
Probably one of my favorite memories of Nela is.... one night we went to Kaneohe to go to the movies. One the way home, I didn't feel like driving so I told him to drive since he was pretty much my ONLY friend that knew how to drive a stick shift car. I probably should not have let him drive mostly cause he's Nela. Oh well... too late now. So we're driving home... and we're right by the sewer plant thing. Right where there's that ONE stop light. Well we were coming up to the light... and its red. But Nela's not slowing down. There isn't anyone at the cross street waiting to come out... but he's still not slowing down. THEN WE GO THROUGH THE RED LIGHT!!! I automatically hit him of course... and asked him the hell he was doing. His response.... "I thought it was gonna turn green by the time we got there!" Of course... I slapped him again!!! I couldn't believe that he just did that. Of course when the shock wore off... I was laughing. Its totally something that he WOULD do.
Nela's favorite story... or one of them anyways would involve he and I and a few friends going on a hike. And me showing off my amazing balance! More like me falling and rolling down a hill. But that's all I'm saying about that.
One thing that I love about Nela is his smile! You can't help but smile back at him... Its contagious! Its one of the first things you notice about him. He's also hilarious... lil bit off but hilarious nonetheless... maybe that's why we get along so well. Hmmm... LOL! he can definitely dish out some humble pie... he can also take it too. He loves to dance and sing... esp loves. performing in front of a crowd... something that he is really good at.
I admire Nela's love for the gospel. His faith is never ending, no matter what. He always does what's right. Throughout the years that I've known him, he has taught me so many times to have faith and rely on Heavenly Father. He's been and continues to be such an amazing example to be. He shows a Christ-like love to all those that he comes in contact with, no matter who you are, where you come from, your past, or your current circumstances. There was one particular experience that happened years ago and I didn't find out the whole story and why he made the choices that he did til recently. When I finally understood I was in awe. That's probably the best way to put it. I suddenly admiring him so much more. He choose to do the right thing even if he knew that it would hurt someone else. He chose to listen the his heart, the spirit, and honor his priesthood. During some of my "hard-times", I'll talk to Nela, by the end of our conversation I'm laughing my head off and I don't have a care in the world. He has an amazing talent to help people forget what is keeping them down, remember the good things in life and lifts them up without them even being aware of it.
On a more serious note... Nela has been there for me through it all. With the exception of ONE night that was VERY unexpected, I haven't seen Nela since he left Hawaii in 2003 to go home to Tonga so he could get ready for his mission. As life would have it... we haven't been able to spend more than a couple hours together. And in the five years since he left... we've been in separate countries the whole time. Through all that we've been through our friendship has only gotten stronger.
I'm grateful and very blessed to have Nela not only in my life but as my best friend. I wouldn't want it any other way. Hope you're birthday is amazing!!
Love ya... you OLD FART!!! LOL!
