I Didn’t Drink Alcohol For Over A Year. Here’s What I’ve Learned

One Friday night, I got dressed up to go to the bar a few blocks away from my house. I was living in Brooklyn at the time. Bars and clubs were everywhere. I worked at a law firm, and I spent almost all of my free time drinking the nights away. Life was good.

I walked over to my friend’s bar. The night was chilly, but I knew that I was going to be blessed with some dark liquor in my system. I stepped inside the bar. Reggae music was playing loudly. Men and women of all ages were sitting around, talking and laughing. A few people were dancing. I felt at home.

The owner of the bar saw me and greeted me. His eyes lit up as he smiled. He had this impish smile I always thought was very cute for an older man. Over the loud music, I asked him for a shot of Hennessy, and to open a tab. While he was preparing my drink, I sat right across from him and placed my coat on the back of my chair, preparing for a fun-filled night.

After that shot of Hennessy, I asked for another one, and a beer. Corona was my beer of choice. A few moments later, two of my friends show up and sit next to me. I was elated! We started talking while…