I Thought of You

Last weekend we bought a bag of pears at the Pear Fair.

As we were loading them into the car, Don looked at the bag and said, "There's no way we're going to eat all of these before they go bad."

I looked at the same bag and thought...

"We'll make a dessert and share it with our neighbors at Wine Down on Friday."

Same pears.

Completely different perspectives.

Don saw fruit that might end up in the compost.

I saw Friday night's dessert.

It made me realize that's how I've always moved through life.

When I discover a buttery Chardonnay, I immediately think of my mom because I know she'd love it.

If I find a great restaurant, I text a friend.

If I visit a museum, a winery, or a little festival that's worth the drive, I usually end up sharing it—not because I want people to know where I've been, but because I'm already thinking about who else might enjoy it.

I've realized I don't just collect experiences.

I collect things worth sharing.

Then it hit me.

I know exactly where I learned it.

My dad still reads the newspaper every morning.

When he comes across an article he thinks I'd enjoy—or a story about the fitness industry or marketing—he doesn't text me a link.

He cuts it out.

Folds it up.

Writes my name on an envelope.

Adds a little note.

Puts a stamp on it.

And drops it in the mail.

No fanfare.

No expectation of a reply.

Just his way of saying,

"I thought of you."

The medium has changed.

The instinct hasn't.

These days I send texts instead of envelopes.

I share links instead of newspaper clippings.

I introduce people instead of mailing articles.

I've been reconnecting with former colleagues, introducing business owners, and sharing ideas—not because I'm expecting anything in return, but because I genuinely enjoy connecting good people with good people.

The world has become incredibly noisy.

Every day there's another AI tool, another product, another platform, another opinion.

It's hard to know what's worth your time.

That's why trusted recommendations matter more than ever.

Whether it's a restaurant, a bottle of wine, a business introduction, or an article, we pay attention when someone we trust says,

"I thought of you."

I've realized I move through life asking one simple question:

Who would love this?

Maybe that's what being a connector really is.

Not having the biggest network.

Not collecting the most business cards.

Just paying attention.

Listening.

Remembering what people care about.

And taking a minute to share it.

Because sometimes the most meaningful thing you can give someone isn't advice.

It's letting them know...

"I thought of you."