While We Still Can

We’re back from Japan.

During our stay this summer, I had the chance to meet so many people I hadn’t seen in years.

A crafter I met when I had a pop-up at Hanshin Department Store in 2018.

A friend of my dad’s from college, who took me out for dinner several times when I was living in Florence in 2003. We visited Nagoya, where he lives, and my dad contacted him. He kindly showed us around the city.

A friend from my college music circle who lives in Gifu and came to Osaka to see us—I probably hadn’t seen him since around 2010.

And friends from high school and college.

So many reunions in just a few weeks.

One of my friends said something that stayed with me:

“We’re in our 40s now. Let’s meet while we still can.”

It sounds a little serious, but I know what she meant.

When I moved to New York, the pandemic started soon afterward. For a long time, I couldn't go back to Japan, and I couldn't see the people I knew there.

That experience changed the way I think about meeting people.

Life is unpredictable. We don't know what will happen next, or when circumstances might suddenly make it impossible to travel or see someone.

So now, when distance is the only thing keeping me from seeing someone, I want to make the effort if I can.

Of course, we can stay connected online.

We can send messages, see someone's photos, and know what they're doing.

But meeting in person is different.

You share the same time and space. You talk about one thing, then suddenly jump to something completely unrelated. You laugh about something that wouldn't make sense in a text message. You notice someone's expression, their voice, the little things that don't come through on a screen.

You don't have to "catch up" on everything.

You just spend time together.

And somehow, those little moments become memories.

This summer reminded me how many people I've met throughout my life—and how lucky I am that some of those connections have lasted for 10, 20, or even more years.

Maybe that's why I want to meet people while I still can.

Not because something bad is going to happen.

Just because now is the time we have.

And if the only obstacle is distance, maybe it's worth crossing it.