My friend Brittian

I did not ask Brittian if I could post this and I don't think I have to because he wouldn't care. I met Brittian at a writing conference about 5 years ago and we immediately hit it off. We went to Horse Brass for a dark beer and some shepherd's pie when the Horse Brass was the smokiest pub in Portland. We talked about marriage and parenting and about how much grace both of those things must have to be fulfilling and to last.

It's years later and Brittian and I get together as often as possible, usually over Stumptown coffee and some pastries. Good food is important to both of us but we never talk about it. We still talk a lot about grace and the presence of God in unlikely places. There are a lot of things we don't have to talk about because we innately "get" each other. It's the things that we don't say that make us such great friends. Brittian is the gold standard as a friend. As a writer and philosopher, I can't compete and I don't try. He's a great father to his boys and a devoted husband to his wife.

I often wonder how I have attracted such great friends. Throughout my life I haven't attracted money or great influence and I'm okay with that. But, my friends...my friends are among the best people who have walked the planet. Brittian is one of those. I am wealthy in friendships for sure.

We were emailing back and forth today, trying to set up a time to get together and this is where we landed...with Brittian writing this:

"What I love about our conversations is the way that it is easy. There is only embrace. No wariness. It's good. I weary of selling things that should need no explanation; it's uneccesary with you and I appreciate that."

And, my words back....

"With words like these I am sure that I am loved. Thank you, friend."

Thanks for being my friend, Brittian.