“Have I ever told you the story of how I got my dog?”

I heard a groan and some mumbling telling me to go away.  That was exactly what he did earlier.

    “What should we do this weekend?” I asked.
    “I don’t know, and I don’t have the time for this right now.”
    That wasn’t like my friend Ian.  He normally would make all the time in the world to talk to me.
    “Oh my gosh! We should get ice cream!”
    The phone went dead.  Great. 

I called again.  No response.  Somehow, I just knew I had to reach him, that he needed someone. I called again.  Still no response.  I kept trying until there was an answer. 

“Hey, listen to me! I have a really funny story about my dog that you should know,” I said.

Finally, he listened, and as soon as I heard his laughter on the other end, my six missed calls and 20 texts did not seem as crazy anymore. 
I could help somebody.
   

The worst feeling that anybody could ever feel is being alone.  It is scary to think that in 2015, three million adolescents in America had suffered a major depressive episode.  The feelings of depression and being lonely are unfortunately things that I had to experience myself for many years. From meeting many other teens who suffered from depression, I knew how dangerous it can be. Since 2007, the suicide rate for teen boys has increased by 30 percent. I wasn’t letting Ian become a statistic; in fact, I would do anything in my power to keep anyone away from such a strong feeling of darkness. 

We are taught to strive toward success, yet success is not billions of dollars in spending money, straight A’s in school, or fitting in with just about anyone. Success is happiness. Strong relationships with good friends and family, self-acceptance, and even the rejection of materialism can build true happiness. One of the major signs that someone is happy is that he or she can be alone and not lonely. Nobody is truly alone, and I realized that night that maybe I could really help and change that 30% someday.  With what I knew, I could help.
   

That night was scary.  To know my best friend was in such a dark place and there was nothing he would let me do about it terrified me.  I didn’t give up.  I couldn’t give up.  After the one bit of laughter I heard, I knew I could do something, and I kept going.  He opened up to me, and knowing that I made a real difference to somebody helped me know what I want to feel for the rest of my life.
   

Weeks later:

I look at a smiling Ian as we drive to random unknown destinations, laughing and listening to music.  We know so much more about each other because of that night.  He knows about my dog and has heard the story of when I got him about 50 times.  I know the story about his sister’s new boyfriend and I have sat in his kitchen while his amazing mother bakes us cookies on a Sunday morning.  He knows all the weird details about me, from my constant biting of my glasses to my nervous talking. 

One day he asks what I want to do with my life.  I say I’m not sure, because at one time I had wanted to be a doctor and then proceeded to get queasy at the thought of blood.  Maybe I could be a teacher or lawyer or something.  I tell him I want to help people, to change people’s lives. 

He looks at me with a wide smile and says, “That’s funny, because you already did.”