Welcome back to The Company We Keep. This blog focuses on good people doing great things in the world. With all the bad news making headlines these days, the folks making a positive difference deserve to be showcased now more than ever! The person I have chosen for today’s edition is Brian Martindale.

I consider Brian one of my very good friends and the reason I do is because he put in the work to become friends. This is a rare concept these days. How often do we invest in others simply to become friends? Not for any kind of personal or financial gain, but simply for the sake of friendship?

I met Brian over fifteen years ago when I was working with a publishing company based out of Indiana. This was my first interaction with a larger publishing company and Brian was one of many representatives with whom I worked. He was also my favorite. He was the only one that would listen and get results. He also established a good rapport with me throughout the process. Eventually, I moved on to another publishing company, but Brian made it a point to stay in contact with me. Not to try to woo back my business. Simply to stay in touch.

Because of his consistency in reaching out, our friendship grew. My dad and I travel to Indianapolis for a Colts game once a year. Eventually, Brian and I started to make a point to get together in person and tailgate in downtown Indy before the game during each trip. I remember one year our schedules couldn’t sync up before the game and this was unacceptable to Brian. He called me during the actual game and made plans for us to meet up at halftime in the stadium. I still remember us cramming a year’s worth of in-person catching up into ten minutes. But Brian made sure that ten minutes occurred.

We exchange texts during holidays and Colts games. Sometimes there will be a call for no reason other than touching base. I share these stories about Brian because what he did was intentional. He wanted to establish a friendship, and a long distance one at that. Too many of us (myself included) go through life with the mindset of “I have enough friends”. And let’s face it, it takes work to make a new friend. It takes even more work to remain a good friend. I don’t do a good job of concentrating on either. But I thank the good Lord that there are folks like Brian in the world that make a habit of connecting with others and generating and growing genuine friendships. People like Brian lay the blueprint for people like me.

At the end of the day, relationships are some of the biggest blessings in our lives. I sometimes feel like the older I get, the fewer friends I have. Then I’m reminded of Brian, and I realize that maybe I’m just not working hard enough to make new friends or even keep the ones I do have. Like anything worth having, it takes effort to make a good friend. It takes even more determination to be a good friend. I thank Brian Martindale for being not just a good friend to me, but an example of what it takes to do so.

Thanks for reading. Now go out and make a new friend today!