Some people come into our lives and leave an indelible mark. They become an oasis of comfort in times of need, readily available without judgment. Yesterday, I talked with [Arjun](tab:https://www.arjunvvk.com/). It's funny how connections work sometimes. I'm not even close to the cousin who introduced us, but Arjun and I just clicked. We can talk about movies, music, and anything under the sun. It's refreshing, always. Then there's Karthik, who was introduced to me by Arjun. What started as a mentorship blossomed into a genuine friendship. It's funny how these connections can snowball, creating a network of "those people" who truly get you. Living in China, I've realized how much I miss these kinds of connections. Charlie was that person for me here — a long-term expat who really got me. The friendship even led me to revamp and maintain [ChengduLiving](tab:https://www.chengduliving.com/) alongside Charlie for a while. But things change. Charlie returned to the US during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we eventually shut down the forum. Last night, I [read that](tab:https://www.justcharlie.com/on-privacy-public-persona/) Charlie isn't interested in returning to prolific posting. Life is full of chapters, some longer than others. But it's these rare souls - the Arjuns, Karthiks, and Charlies of the world - who make the journey worthwhile. They're the ones who remind us that even in our weirdest, most difficult moments, there are people out there who just get us.

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Last night, I read Amy's post about [family obligations](tab:https://amykhar.bearblog.dev/bitter-thoughts-on-family-and-obligation/). While it's not directly related to what I'm talking about here, it made me think deeply about relationships and our roles in each other's lives. It's a reminder that while some connections come easy, others require work and sacrifice. But both types shape who we are.