The Unlikeliest of Friends and a Step Into Adulthood

So in my last post, I said that I would be breaking down the Sunday playoff games however something happened today and unfortunately I will save Part 2 of my Wild Card Weekend analysis till tomorrow (I promise). As some of you know, I am headed to Vegas next weekend and have been spending a fair amount of time prepping, making reservations, etc. Being exactly a week away from Vegas, I thought it would a good idea to put that up on my status. About 10-minutes ago, I get a facebook chat from someone completely unexpected, my high school geometry and precalculus teacher (who we'll call Mr.C, but those of you who have known me for a long time can can figure it out).

I don't consider this a random encounter. Mr. C and I have facebook chatted before, probably once every few months to discuss the Phillies, the Eagles, my marathon training, and things of that nature. He was one of my favorite teachers in high school, although I didn't consider us all that close at that time. He obviously saw my status and I thought he felt the need to pass on some pearls of wisdom. Mr. C opened with, "Just remember the poker players in Vegas are better than AC." From there, I expected the conversation to take the form of a father talking to his son, however as our talk progressed, it was as if I was talking to one of my goof ball buddies. "Me too - love long sessions playing poker," "no - I do not know how to play tournaments. It's a different game," "No shit!" "Go Birds!" These were some of the snippets of our conversation.

When did we reach this level of adulthood that we no longer filter what we say to those we once were scared to sneeze the wrong way in class? Is it appropriate for me as a 25-year old to discuss my gambling habits, poker strategy, nightlife (read: binge drinking) with someone who in some shape or form helped to mold me into the person that I am today? Simply put, when did we grow up? I am very happy to hold Mr. C in the same regard as I would consider my Trinity friends and high school friends. There is certainly something to be said for being able to converse with someone much older (not in a bad way) and wiser as if they are your equal.