It all changed for me in 2015. A friend called out of the blue and said - "I have an idea I want to share. I have been doing CrossFit for a year. I think you would love it and you would be good at it. If you take a risk and try it, I will do it with you a couple times per week." The friend kept his promise and left his house at 4:00 AM (45 minute drive) to meet me for a 5:00 AM class two times per week. After three months and my growing excitement for CrossFit, he informed me that I would now be on my own and he would switch to monthly workouts with me. At the time I was 50 pounds overweight, not healthy, and felt lonely socially. 

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A year earlier this same friend confronted me about our friendship - "What do you actually want from me when you reach out by text?" His challenge was that, if I wanted to connect, I should make a commitment and sacrifice to "show up" in person. To be confronted like that was exactly what I needed. Over the next several years, we made an intentional effort to drive the 45 minutes and prioritize our friendship by meeting in person. 

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In both instances, this friend honestly called me in to a deeper relationship and connection. HE told me hard truths, asked probing questions, and spoke to me directly. He forced me to make decisions and crystallize my priorities. He challenged me to align my words and deeds.