We’ve been friends so long I can’t remember
which one of us is the bad influence!
Over 40 years ago when I started in the apparel business, I met these guys. And we've been best friends ever since! Time has passed and our memories have lapsed, but we still look forward to our regular beach get-togethers. We try to take full advantage of our time together by playing many spirited games of Corn-Hole. But the real fun starts when we share our 'old stories': Some stories we remember, others just get better and better as we retell them.
A stranger once told us, "You guys are not normal." But as I like to say, "The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. And the more you get to know them, the more you find out they are just as crazy as you are."
Even though we are best friends, we don't always see eye-to-eye on everything. For sure, we have our own opinions! In our own way, we always try to encourage each other -- even though the quality of that encouragement varies. What starts out as 'good-natured ribbing' almost always ends up in belly laughs or groans.
After all their encouragement, they never hesitate to tell me how I can improve things in my personal life.
But here are a few things my buddies have NEVER told me:
Charlie . . . I love the way you listen.
. . . are you always this patient?
. . . you always act your age!
. . . you always think before you speak.
. . . your clothes are so 'age appropriate'.
. . . do you think you might be depressed?
. . . do you have an opinion on that?
And nobody has ever said to me: CHARLIE, ARE YOU ALWAYS THIS HUMBLE?
What are some of the thing your friends have never told you?
Here's to many more years of friendship, Corn-Hole victories, tall tales, and the kind of laughter that only old friends can share.
