Today I'm giving thanks for Brad and Emelia Rogers.
Kate and I are so fortunate to call Brad and Emelia our best friends. We all went to college together and I knew both of them well at the time. But, Brad & Emelia didn’t start dating until we had graduated and we all went our separate ways for a bit. Many years and many life changes later, we now live a mile apart and see each other often.
It seems to me that for many couples my age, “couple friends” are typically skewed. The wives might be good friends and the husbands get along “ok enough” or vice-versa. But it’s never been like that with us. Kate makes Brad laugh the same way Emelia does me.
We’ve now taken a few trips together - the biggest of which was trekking around Italy. It was a fun trip other than I think I made Emelia sick with my driving.
So, what does this have to do with HomeSpotter? On the one hand- “nothing”. On the other hand- everything.
When you’re an entrepreneur running full speed, “work/life balance” isn’t quite a thing. On my good days, I instead strive for “work/life integration”; and with that, committing to times that I’m fully present with my family and friends, while also acknowledging that work isn’t ever fully out of my mind.
That said, for much of the last ~10 years, while never intentional on my part, I know there have been many times where I’ve gotten way more out of this friendship than I gave back.
Brad and Emelia- each in their own way, showed up in big ways for each of Kate and I at many different points along the way. Having supportive friends and family is so important, and I’m so grateful for them.
I could literally write pages about how they’re both some of the most gracious people I know or how I’m a better father, husband, and business leader for knowing them, but I’ll spare you the details.
Brad and Emelia- thank you for your friendship, for all the laughs, and for your investment in the Kardell’s each step along the way.
Originally posted on LinkedIn – head over to give it a like or a share.
I’m giving thanks for 100+ days to individuals that positively impacted me or HomeSpotter’s trajectory.