Male friendships were easier in eighth grade — at least they were for me.  Back then, expectations were simpler. My dad would load me and my friends into the car and drive us to the Fremont Theater in Springfield. We’d eat popcorn, watch a movie, and feel like we were living the high life, worthy of a photo.  It was the kind of low-key activity that built strong friendships among teenagers who went to school and played sports together. But as boys grow into men, things change. They go their separate ways, start families, and their social lives get consumed by family responsibilities. Hikes with a fishing pole along the Sac River get swapped out for grocery store runs for diapers, and before long, close male friendships can fade into the background. I often say that my married life can be divided into two phases: BK (Before Kids) and AK (After Kids). Before kids, I had more time for personal projects, playing golf, and even had a weekly basketball game with some business men in...