Colorado Legislature Coworker - Nate Larkin

This memory is not just one day, but over the 2019 session of the Colorado State Legislature. The friendship between Jai and I was a very unlikely friendship. Jai was the aide to a House Democrat, myself to a Senate Republican. We both worked on the 6th floor of the Sherman Street building, just around the corner from each other. Early on during the session, Jai came to the Senate Republican side of the building to introduce himself to staff in that part of the building - at the time not knowing that we were Republicans. Jai's friendly personality stuck around. I was not able to sit still, so I would take laps around the floor during slow times, which would make me pass Jai's desk 3-4 times a day, and I'd stop every time to chat. No matter the tension between the legislators on the House/Senate floor, it was never a day at work for Jai or I without saying hi to each other - our friendship became a vital part of our day. Near the end of February, our friendship turned from saying hi to each other to grabbing lunch with each other once a week. There was always civility between the two of us and we'd discuss how much more peaceful things will be once our generation is in office. Jai would often be questioned on why he would spend time with a Republican, and his response showed wisdom beyond his years "Yes, they're Republicans, and yes I disagree with them on many things, but once you get to know them, you'll see that like me, they just want what they feel is best for the state." Starting in March, Jai and I started planning a lot of after work events that brought together aides from both sides of the aisle in both houses of the legislature. Some of my best memories were Rockies games after work with Jai. After the game, Jai and I would walk to Union Station so I could take the Light Rail home and he'd get on the bus back to Boulder. It was always important to me to make sure that Jai would make his bus back to Boulder. Jai always taught me how to put myself in someone else's shoes and expanding my perspective. I am truly a better man for having Jai in my life.