Two dozen years

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In 1986, this date fell on a Friday. After classes ended my friend Ted stopped by. (Not my brother, a different Ted.) He had a pack of wine coolers with him.
“Here,” he said, handing me one. “I brought extra.”
“No thanks,” I said. “I’m all set.”
I don’t think he thought anything of that. But, for me it was a big deal.
It was the first time I turned down a drink.
The day after was our annual Bring Your Own Steak party, which was a big drinking event. But, I went into that saying “I quit yesterday” and it wasn’t a problem.
I didn’t tell anyone I quit. I just didn’t drink. It was one day at a time. 8766 so far.