Some of my fondest memories are piling on the couch with the friends I grew up with and laughing until we got stitches in our sides. We’ve all moved around since then, and the couch we used to pile on is occupied by someone we don’t know. Though we still maintain a very active group chat, I haven’t actually seen those friends for a couple of years. Until this weekend when we booked an Airbnb in Chicago for our reunion.
As we drove into the city, picking up our conversation like we’d just seen each other last week, my friend reminded me of the time I almost sat on his face to get him to make room for me on the couch. Consequently, when the door to Laura’s sprawling loft opened to reveal the biggest sectional I’ve ever seen in my life, I couldn’t help but think I would’t have to sit on my friend’s face to get a seat this time.
Every corner we turned on the initial tour held new wonders. The three bedrooms with their exposed brick and greyscale color scheme, dotted with pops of color. The two full bathrooms, which stood side-by-side and we’re stocked with any and all toiletries we could possibly need. The modern kitchen with a record number of black vases and a fully stocked fridge and pantry. And that couch.
That couch brought us back to all those years ago when we all lived in the same state and gathered at the same couch every week like a sacred ritual. And as we played games, listened to music, watched videos, and drank coffee from the luxurious Nespresso machine, on that couch, we were home.