I’m in Vancouver for the weekend. I’m here to see Canadian National treasure, Americans folk singer, talented actor, otherwise known as my imaginary other husband, Noah Reid. As I’m sitting in the airport, I couldn’t help but wonder, more like being amazed, by what a change twenty years have brought.
Twenty years ago, a flight between Vietnam and Singapore would have costed about the same. It would have taken about the same duration in time. Vancouver is an expensive island city, kinda like Singapore. Going home for me back then was a deliberate decision, of saving money, of deliberate planning, and even more anxiety around logistic. I was nerdy, scrawny, messy long hair and even messier unfitted clothes. Today I’m going to the same trip on a whim, for some straight married white boy I haven’t even met. Not to mention my impeccable hair and even cuter fall outfit. Just saying.
I’m grateful for my life. I’m grateful for my privileges. I’m grateful for my luck and the opportunities in my life. I’m grateful for my other actual husband (not as cute or talented, but he’s my Canadian National treasure). I’m grateful for so many things
And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder, like what they said, what would you say to the young you of twenty years ago? I meant, even in my darkest days (twenty years ago) I would know in the deepest of my heart, that as long as I persevere, and I keep trying, everything will turn out fine. That young man twenty years ago was stronger, more persevering, more resilient, than the me today, messy hair and unfitted clothes and all.
So instead of being condescending to the me of twenty years ago, I’d like to tell him. “Thank you. Thank you for surviving and keeping at it”
And when Noah sings “Simply the best” to me, in an intimate theater with dim lighting and standing room only, I can feel all the love. Not from Noah, duh, he’s a straight married boy that I’ve never met, but the love from everyone who has ever helped my in my life, of all the random chances and opportunities that have let me here. I am, as he will sing on that acoustic guitar, simply the best, better than all the rest.
And that’s a twenty-year story in the making
Pace Fine Arts 