L refutes the commonly accepted theory that it’s harder to make friends as we grow older.

We both started working at N B Primary School in our late 30s/early 40s. It was a small chapter of my life since I left it after 3 years. However, I have kept in touch with him all this while. He’s nothing like me, which may explain why unlike personalities attract. He has a snarky wit and rational cynicism that doesn’t feel negative.

Recently, he told me that he would be departing Singapore to study for his Masters in Australia - with wife and toddler in tow. Such a ballsy move! I shoved aside all things on my to-do list today and met him for lunch, because who’s to say that he would only be gone for one year? By uprooting his family and putting the pause button on his life in Singapore, he has possibilities to explore.

I am so happy for him. And I realised that even though my routine-full life is heavily structured (read: boring!!!), I genuinely get a good dose of dopamine when my friends are doing exciting things with their lives.