Caps #6 Robert Edwards

Growing up in Overland Park  Kansas I was blessed enough to be around lot of cultures. There is one relationship that stands out when looking at back on my high school days. One of my best friend throughout high school was name Aaron. It wasn't til recently that Aaron told me he was gay. This might be bad to say but when he told me it wasn't that big of surprise to me. Aaron and I friendship has only grown stronger since he came out to me. Aaron is one of my best friends and their has been ups and downs ever since he came out to me.

Like I said before having Aaron as a friend has been a blast. He is one of those friends that you can say anything too and not worry about being judge. Aaron is also the most outgoing guys I know he knows  how to make anyone smile at anytime. He also helps me and my other friends pick up girls. Aaron has become one of the guys and is a joy to have around, however there has been some challenges with being friends with Aaron.

Growing up I was considered a "a jock" I played every sport up until I graduated high school. When Aaron came out to me I got a lot of questions from my teammates about why I am hanging out with a gay guy. At first it was hard to hear these things being said from my teammates that I considered brothers. Aaron and I relationship was too important for me to throw away over a few comments from the guys on my team. I had to set my teammates straight and tell them what they are doing is wrong. My teammates understood where I was coming from and actually began to hang out with Aaron as well. After a while Aaron became one of the guys and everyone enjoys having him around. 

One dialectic that The Baxter model discusses that relates to my relationship with Aaron is Personal-Contextual dialectic. The book defines this dialectic as a relationship that is both personal and contextual. I think the best part of Aaron and I's friendship is that we can share thoughts on a personal level.

Aaron has been my best friend since sophomore year in high school. Our relationship has not changed just because the context has changed. Aaron is and will always be my best friend not matter what others say about our situation.