.046 Adam Kopp

Picture this: two 12-year-old boys, one from St. Louis, the other from San Diego, meet at summer camp in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. One loved tennis, the other loved soccer. Nearly a decade later, they reconnect, finding out that they both have since come out (proudly) as gay men, and soon enough they are both living in New York City. Well, that’s Adam and I, and it’s probably one of my favorite stories of friendship throughout my life.

When I met Adam, I remember my first thought being that he was nice to me. Kind and unassuming, he did his own thing, and let me do mine. We spent about 2 months together that first summer in our ~ infamous ~ cabin, and I left that experience hoping for a continued friendship with him, thinking it would revolve around the outdoors, and sports. Here we are now, with most conversations revolving around boys, the woes of work in a pandemic, and (before he left…) the excitement and chaos of New York City, a place I never thought that I’d live.

As cheesy as this sounds, seeing Adam for the first time again, at a Pride party on a hot June day, made me feel really proud and happy for him. Adam is extremely personable and outgoing, and has clearly grown into himself in a beautiful way. He’s confident, yet eager to learn at every turn; he’s handsome and funny as hell, both reminiscent of the camper I first knew. He’s so incredibly talented and an expert at connecting people and bringing them together. Seeing him that day and since then has been a constant breath of fresh air, especially when we just have a split second moment where we look at each other and think, “look at us now!”

Adam, thank you for compassion and goofball-ness (is that a word?) when we were 12, and now. Thank you for always making me laugh and for being able to see the good, even through your cynicism. Thank you for our lifetime bond because of toes, (top) bunks, being out and proud, and being genuine friends. Thank you for equally gagging at the craziness of our story and for living a life that has purpose and kindness built into it. I’m so, SO grateful to know you and still be friends all these years later. I’m grateful to have unknowingly had you next to me when I was figuring myself out, and I’m grateful to think back on those years and crushes (CS) with such fondness. Thank you for being the amazing person you are. Thank you for just being you.

-BD