What quality do you value most in a friend?

This is a great question! The quality I probably value most in a friend is unwavering loyalty.

I’ve been fortunate to have some wonderful friends in my life, and the ones who have truly stood the test of time are those who have been consistently loyal. Let me rephrase that. The one who stood the test of time has been consistently loyal. Most of the guys who were my closest friends have faded into the distance. I still consider them friends, but I wouldn’t say they’re still best friends, or anything close to that. The one person who has been my best friend (other than my wife, Daryl, and my daugher, Lizzi) is my best friend, Scott Treloar. We’ve known each other since 1990, and he’s been there through so many milestones – he was my best man, and he’s the godfather to my daughter, Lizzi. But we also went through the deaths of parents, divorces and remarriages, financial ruin and financial boon. No matter what goes on in each other’s lives, we’ve been there for each other, and I know we’ll continue to be there for each other. That kind of steadfast support, through thick and thin, is what forges lifelong friendships, and it’s priceless.

Loyalty is being able to count on someone – someone who will be honest with me even when it’s difficult, and someone who will celebrate my successes and stand by my side during my challenges and failures. Loyalty creates a bond where, without a shadow of a doubt, you know that someone has your back. Without loyalty, friendship is difficult, at best. With it, you have friends who will stand with you until the end of time.