Once, in college, some friends and I sat down over wine and Keebler Chachos to discuss All that Was Wrong With the World. The fact that, despite our mother's assurances, the dumb girls were still getting all the guys, the demise of "Twin Peaks," and whether or not it was worth it to mount the inner-thigh machine (you know the one) in the student rec center were among the topics at hand. And also, the theory that female characters in film and on television seemed to almost always exist to give the male characters some sort of motivation or crisis. But there's another much-maligned character I'm thinking about today- the male love interest's best friends. They're always whisking him away to a Vegas bachelor party rife with strippers, booze, and an inconvenient murder. (You might replace Vegas with Mexico, the strippers with video games, the booze with Keebler Chachos, the murder with a big bag of stolen heroin- whatever. You know the drill.)
I guess my life isn't exactly cinematic, then, because Mr. Frick's friends rank among the top reasons I had for choosing to spend my life with him. Granted, for Valentine's Day they did show up at our front door with pantyhose over their heads and kidnap him away for a day of Rock Band, paintball, beer, and diner food, but no strippers, heroin, or indeed Keebler products were involved (to my knowledge). To this girl- whose best friends were always boys, who yearned for a brother, and whose idea of flirting has always been the old ice-down-the-back trick (noogies work well, too)- the Guys are all that (and a bag of Cinnamon Crispana).
Eric the Lionhearted (Cran Kool)- He'll hold your head in his lap when you're all boozy from your bachelorette party. He'll stay up all night baking a birthday cake for your three year-old when he finds out, last minute, that said three year-old thinks that the surprise baby shower being thrown the next day is actually a birthday party for him. He writes beautiful love letters to his wife (sorry, girls). He runs marathons like it's going out of style, is a passionate advocate of eating locally, and is quite likely the most generous person I'll ever know.
Tim, my new BFF (Paris Kool)- He's the kind of teacher you hope your child will have every year from Kindergarten through college- he's that patient, wise, funny, and smart. Although he doesn't like to admit it, he's one of the strongest people I know, having experienced unthinkable loss and having the grace to appreciate all of our bumbling efforts at understanding, helping, and coping along with him. Every day I walk into work and he's still there in the classroom next to me is a day I have to resist running in and hugging him just for still being there. OK, sometimes I don't resist. And you know sixth graders- The rumors!
Chris, my Love (Kool Forest)- You should see him with the Biscuit. One night I came home from a late meeting at school and found him singing Thomas the Tank Engine songs and doing a little jig, all for the amusement of my cranky little guy. He never fails to show up with a gift (small hand-held fans are called "the Chris fans" in our house). He organizes fantastic parties, digs Tori, and has the most mahvelous eyes.
Brothers, best friends, opportunities for Mr. Frick-sanctioned flirting (watch your backs!)- I love you.
All the while I was knitting these hats, I couldn't get a line from a movie out of my head. The very movie that inspired the discussion about women's film roles. And so, at the risk of becoming just as irritating as Patricia Arquette: "You're so Kool. You're so Kool. You're so Kool."
What a great post. I wish I had more guy friends like that!
Posted by: Stacey | March 26, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Oh, and Keebler Chachos? Oh my god. I was beginning to think that my sister and I were imagining those. No one seems to remember them except us! Thanks for re-establishing my sanity. The cinnamon ones were damn good. As were the "plain" ones. Mmm...chachos.
Posted by: Stacey | March 26, 2008 at 11:22 AM
What a great post! I love the group shots, and those hats are marvelous.
Posted by: Leslie | March 26, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Wonderful hats for wonderful guys! What a great post.
Posted by: Jodi | March 26, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Kool post!
[New BFF Paris Kool - you crack me up!]
Posted by: Nora | March 26, 2008 at 01:49 PM
oh, J, I *love* this post so very much -- and the hats, ofcourse. Makes me want to go crank out new handknits for all my precious BFFs. Thanks.
Posted by: pamela wynne | March 26, 2008 at 01:54 PM
That is so awesome! :)
Posted by: Kristin | March 26, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Did you say digs Tori?? Oh yeah, he and the rest all sound like major keepers, and they are lucky to have a female friend that 'gets' them.
Posted by: Heather | March 26, 2008 at 02:37 PM
What an amazing group of BFFs! The hats are pretty cool too.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 26, 2008 at 02:45 PM
so awesome! that's pretty sweet that your hubby and you have such great friends! love the post :-)
Posted by: margaux | March 26, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Love the hats and the post! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Rose | March 26, 2008 at 03:31 PM
The hats turned out great, and this post is such a nice testament to friendship. :)
Posted by: Emily | March 26, 2008 at 03:47 PM
from someone who has the same soft spot in her heart for those guys, that post was beautiful, julie. i always struggle to describe the awesomeness that is that foursome because i fear people will think i'm exaggerating. you did it perfectly. and the hats!
Posted by: Melanie | March 26, 2008 at 03:56 PM
You can add "not embarrassed to cry while reading a knitting blog" to my list of attributes Jules. Thanks for the awesome tribute!
Posted by: Eric | March 26, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Kool hats for kool guys. They all look fantastic and your little guy is so cute too.
Posted by: sue | March 26, 2008 at 05:22 PM
This post put the BIGGEST smile on my face. What a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful men. The pictures are absolutely priceless as are the friendships.
Tori?! I almost don't believe it ;-)
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | March 26, 2008 at 05:57 PM
You have such amazing friends, and you are so amazing to knit for them! I knit Special K a Koolhaas in the Paris Night colorway and it is, indeed, the bees knees. And Keebler snacks, woe. When I was a kid I cracked a molar on some Keebler braid thing. I have never been able to look at those elves without thinking evil thoughts.
Posted by: nova | March 26, 2008 at 05:57 PM
You're a lucky girl, Ms. Frick, but I'm sure you know that.
The fact that my husband still had friends from the 2nd grade was a huge point in his favor!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | March 26, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Ahh...memories. Like you, I spent most of my time in college with my husband and "the guys" and still to this day, those are the ones we keep in touch with (and occasionally get together to play a random game of beer pong with)...great memories, great hats! :)
Posted by: Kelly | March 27, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Poor Mr. ReMango left all of his good friends in Detroit when he moved east... so my friends are now his friends :) I hope he feels the same way you do about your DH's friends! You're one lucky woman to have so many good men in your life!!
Posted by: reluctantmango | March 27, 2008 at 04:23 AM
i love your post and the pictures just grab my heart...
Posted by: kate | March 27, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Wow. I am teary-eyed. I really miss you all.
Posted by: Haid in Chicago | March 27, 2008 at 06:59 AM
you're one lucky dame.
and i've now lost count how many times one of your posts has choked me up...
Posted by: brenda in toronto | March 27, 2008 at 07:41 AM
What a wonderful bunch. When my brother and I were growing up his friends were that way to me. Not too surprising then that I fell in love with one of them!
Keep them close to your heart. They're worth the effort. What a lovely tribute to them! I wonder if I have anything in the stash to use to do that for my guys? :)
Posted by: Sarahfish | March 27, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Awww... how sweet! Look at all the cuties in their Koolhauses!
Posted by: tiennie | March 27, 2008 at 09:34 AM