I’ve never been the type to put movie stars on a pedestal, even though I certainly have my favorites. Give me Jimmy Stewart’s earnest charm, John Wayne’s grit, or Tom Hanks’ quiet everyman heroism any day of the week. They’ve all left their mark on film and on me. But even with all that admiration, none of them come close to the people who truly shape my life.
My favorite people right now are the same ones who remind me every day that “favorite” is less about novelty and more about constancy. At the top of that list is Daryl—my partner, my balance, my safe place, and the person whose presence steadies me even when other parts of life feel unsettled. Life with her remains my greatest adventure.
Then there’s Lizzi, who somehow manages to be both my daughter and one of my closest friends. Watching her step confidently into motherhood has been one of the true joys of my life. And now there’s Sully—tiny, curious, and completely capable of lighting up a room, or a heart, with a single smile.
I can’t forget Scott, who’s been my brother in everything but DNA since 1990. Bourbon may be the setting for a lot of our conversations, but the friendship is the through-line.
And beyond that are all the others who make up the fabric of my family—my brother and three sisters, Daryl’s siblings, our nieces, nephews, cousins, and the wide web of people who have enriched my life just by being in it. They don’t drift in and out of my “current favorites.” They’re permanent. Anchored. Evergreen.
So when I’m asked who my favorite people currently are, the answer doesn’t change with the seasons. It’s the same group who has stood with me through every chapter. The ones who make life richer simply by being part of it.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Very well said! Thanks!