.097 Nick Ong

Nick and I crossed paths a few times in college, exchanging maybe 50 words over the course of those years. It wasn’t until I forcefully moved onto his couch upon abruptly moving to NYC, however, that we started to become actual friends, and I learned very quickly how phenomenal of a human being Nick is. In fact, I feel like Nick and I were bound to become friends one day, and I can confidently say that my life has been enriched because of our friendship. He’s the silly, serious, talented, smart, empathetic, National-Treasure-loving, lets-me-jump-on-the-Warriors-bandwagon-when-the-Lakers-are-bad friend that I want, need, and truly cherish having.

I can say with certainty that I get excited every time I see and hang out with Nick. Each conversation with him spans multiple topics, depths and always leaves me laughing, thinking about things differently, and generally just feeling happy. His passion and knowledge for all-things theater have expanded my mind and heart, and in many ways have quite literally expanded my experience within the theater because of shows we’ve gone to see and watched online. Matching his deep love for the theater is his true talent as an actor. I’ve been fortunate enough to see him in shows from DC to NYC and each time I do, Nick disappears as he takes on the character that he’s playing. Seeing him act is the epitome of seeing someone do what they love. He immerses himself in it, and it’s inspiring.

Perhaps what I am most grateful for, however, is Nick’s ability to connect emotionally and openly. Nick’s emotional intelligence is off the charts and it’s allowed for him and I to have incredibly meaningful, beautiful, and sometimes challenging, conversations, all of which I have appreciated beyond belief. He’s not afraid to be honest and truthful. He doesn’t shy away from disagreeing with you just because your friends. He is willing to push you, knowing that you can do better, and that in my opinion is a true best friend. On top of all of this, Nick is a goofball. He’s a sucker for a stupid movie or a killer stand-up comedy act, and we’ve shared so many laughs over the most ridiculous things. I can talk with him about sports, relationships, college, career successes and woes, and through it all he’s patient and understanding, even when I tell the same story twice. Well, maybe three times.

Nick, you are honestly a friend I wish I had earlier in life, but I’m grateful for what I have now and in the future. Thank you for (literally) welcoming me into your living room/room and for popping my many air mattresses. Thank you for showing me The Last Five Years, for introducing me to Evan Hansen, for taking me golfing, and for giving me a sense of comfort whenever I saw you across the bar at Bea. Thank you for caring so deeply about your friendships, your relationship with Andrea, and for generally just being kind and compassionate to those around you. Thank you for being my gym buddy (when I still went… lol) and for pushing me to keep going on my projects and crazy ideas. Thank you for being the sole reason my phone autocorrects “omg” to “ong.” I’m so incredibly grateful to know you, be friends with you, and to have found someone who would go down the creepy tunnel inside the tomb first. Thank you, Nick, for being you.

-BD