True Friendship: The Ultimate "Out-of-the-Box" Idea

“When friendships are real, they are not glass threads or frostwork, but the solidest things we can know.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The 35ft Christmas Tree

There’s something about people’s reactions to "out-of-the-box" ideas that always makes me smile. I love seeing the expressions on their faces when I suggest something wild or unconventional. Take, for instance, the time I said, “Hey, I want to put a 35-foot live evergreen tree in the church for Christmas this year.” Most people said it couldn’t be done. But I proved them wrong!

Another one of my more recent "crazy" ideas was to take 24 people to Italy to celebrate my ordination as a priest. Believe me, plenty of people thought I was out of my mind for trying to organize that many people on a single trip. But if they thought their disbelief would stop me, they were sorely mistaken. And now, as I write this, sitting on the terrace of my hotel room in Assisi, I can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the family and friends who continue to support me on this incredible journey.

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, 24 people—including family members and friends who have become like family—departed from various corners of the United States to meet me and my parents in Rome. It was the beginning of a 12-day adventure that would take us through some of Italy’s most breathtaking places. When we arrived in Rome on October 6th, we were greeted by our wonderful tour guide and my dear friend, Chris, who immediately began the Herculean task of organizing this lively group.

The Group - Italy 2024

As much as I want to dive into the highlights of the trip—don’t worry, those stories will come later—right now, I’m reflecting on something much deeper. This post isn’t about the exciting sights or experiences, but rather about the incredible people who have been part of this journey, some of whom have been by my side for decades.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “When friendships are real, they are not glass threads or frostwork, but the solidest things we can know.” That couldn’t ring truer for me. Some of the friends on this trip have been in my life for 26 years, sharing in both the highs and lows. Our tour guide, Chris, and her husband Mike have known me and my family for over 23 years. It’s friendships like these that prove Emerson’s words.

Michael and I have been friends since Kindergarten at St. Luke elementary school

When you’re lucky enough to have friends who become family, those relationships become rock-solid foundations. They stand by you, not because of anything you’ve achieved or done, but because they know who you truly are and love you for it. Those are the friendships that last, and I’m beyond grateful for the ones in my life. Why? Because, when you think about it, true friendship is one of the most "out-of-the-box" ideas out there.

We live in a world where relationships are often transactional, where people connect based on what they can gain or how they can benefit from each other. But true friendship breaks all those expectations—it’s not about what you get but who you become with that person in your life. It defies the norms of convenience and self-interest.

True friendship is rare and unconventional because it’s rooted in something deeper than common interests or proximity. It’s about showing up for someone again and again, even when there’s nothing to gain, and staying by their side when things get tough. It’s about accepting the quirks and flaws of another person without trying to change them, and it’s about finding joy in their successes as if they were your own.

In a world that often encourages us to think of ourselves first, choosing to pour time, energy, and love into a friendship is almost radical. It means stepping outside of ourselves, taking risks, and trusting another person with the parts of us that we often hide from the world. It’s investing in something that doesn’t always follow the typical script, something that can be messy, unpredictable, and requires work—but that is what makes it extraordinary.

Here’s to more wild ideas, more adventures, and the friends and family who make them all worthwhile.