“It’s a Jeep” she said with a shrug and a laugh. The car was parked with one tire popped up onto the curb, right in front of the federal office building where I had an appointment.
She’s so unlike me, completely unafraid as she pulls a u-turn in the middle of a busy city street and takes three tries to parallel park with a huge bus right next to us. When she laughs I can’t help but laugh along with her.
Inside, we were greeted by a large gruff security guard. She had the gumption to tease him and tell him to quit or cheer up!
Then we sat for thirty minutes in the most surreal waiting room. A wide range of humanity sat in uncomfortable plastic chairs while another guard watched over us like it was visiting hours at the county jail. A clearly unhinged fellow entered uttering a string of obscenities and we quietly joked about running for our lives. 🫣 it was crazy. And yet somehow fun!
On the way home I thanked her. She didn’t have to drive me there or wait in that awful place. She did it because that’s the kind of friend she is. (“acts of service” is most definitely one of her love languages!) - she dismissed my thanks and said “it’s a great memory now!”
Researchers have found people will judge a hill to be less steep if they face it with a friend. 🏔️ That day, my friend took what felt like a mountain and made it into a fun walk along an easy footpath. 👣
Do you have a friend who brightens your days? Brag on her in the comments!
And if you want to learn more about cultivating deep friendships I hope you’ll join us for our first PAUSE in person on February 12th from 12-2.