I Love the Feeling of Laughter

When I was 22, my best friend's girlfriend died giving birth to their triplets. My best friend, Luke, was so heartbroken and depressed. He never really knew that his girlfriend was even pregnant until the day she died. Now, let me rewind.

Luke and I were just leaving after a day's work from college when Luke's girlfriend, Erica called him and told him she had bad news. She told him that her family's farm was receiving low profits and she had to go back to Oregon to help out as soon as possible. So she had to leave college, and Luke. They spent the rest of that day together. They kept a long-distance relationship until the day she died.

Nine months later, Luke was called by Erica's parents that she died giving birth to their 3 children. I'm sure it was a bomb for Luke, because she sounded all healthy and fine the last

time they spoke, which was the day before, and that she was pregnant. And what also seemed to be a bomb for Luke was that she didn't have enough time left to name their third child before her last breath was taken. Erica's parents also told him that the reason he didn't know she was pregnant was because she wanted it to be a surprise.  I remember like as if it was just yesterday when I saw Luke cry like never before when those news were pushed on him.

Through the phone, Luke named his third child Eric. He then immediately bought a plane ticket to Oregon and left. I didn't see him for over three months after that day until he arrived back with his infants.

When he came back, he was different, and not just because of a tan. His personality changed drastically. He barely smiled, and never laughed. He became a dull father whom just lived to change diapers with no emotion behind it.

In less than a week, I came over to his parents' house and suggested for Luke to have a visit to a psychologist. And he did. I slowly began to see his emotions coming back. A year later after that, Luke and I were walking on a snowy morning when I saw him smiling at his children whom were playing with snow. Then that same day, I was exchanging jokes with him breaking up with laughter when I finally heard him laugh from the bottom of his heart. I knew as soon as I heard him laugh that my best friend was finally back from his depression. I never expected to cherish that moment of crazy laughter.

Today, Luke's alright. He laughs and smiles almost everyday, and he even helped me out when my girlfriend and I broke u. We treat each other in a way that surpasses friendship. We treat each other as brothers. And he loves his children, and although the love of his life passed away, he lives life to the fullest, and I'm glad I helped out in the moment he most needed me. I sure do love the feeling of laughter. It reminds me of this beautiful memory.