How to be Human with Dave Seljestad

I came to know Dave Seljestad around 2005. During what felt at the time like the absolute worst years of my life. I was 150lbs overweight, depressed, and drunk A LOT. A functional a*****e digesting everyone else&#8217;s grief and sinking under the weight of victimhood. Dave welcomed me into his arms as my Dad introduced us, &#8220;This is LA.&#8221; Dave immediately said, &#8220;LALA!&#8221; The childhood nickname I&#8217;d all but forgotten about. That kid was still buried somewhere deep inside me and looked up when he called my name.<br/><br/>I babysat his kids, three-year old Samsoni and one-year old Grace at the time. My not so maternal instincts didn&#8217;t kick in, but LALA sure showed up! There&#8217;s a thread line of trust so invisible but alive when someone trusts you with their kids. I may not have been maternal, but I was always 100% trustworthy.<br/><br/>&#8220;The relationship is part of the medicine.&#8221; <br/><br/>-Dave Seljestad<br/><br/>Dave always struck me, he&#8217;s a handsome part Tongan man, but it&#8217;s his personality that lit a spark of inspiration within me during those dark days. He was bright and optimistic even during the s**t he was struggling with. He could cry and laugh all in the same breath. I became curious how someone could dance lightly through the challenges of life?<br/><br/>One of my favorite aspects of Dave is that he is tough as nails, won&#8217;t let any b******t slide through the cracks AND is an empathetic, sensitive man who is not afraid to let the tears flow. It&#8217;s the most beautiful combination of aspects I&#8217;ve ever seen.<br/><br/>Dave and I became fast friends. I was drawn to his energy, his family, his kiddos, his dogs, and the way he lived is life. Years later, once I lost all the weight I was carrying I&#8217;m pretty sure the first time he saw me he bearhugged me and cried saying something to the sorts of, &#8220;I knew you could do it.&#8221;<br/><br/>I always felt safe with Dave. I am a deep feeler and learned that it was ok to be strong and