Got Your Back Friends

There’s a special kind of friendship. Many of us have never experienced it. It’s the kind of brotherhood that exists in life threatening occupations: the military, fire fighters, police. Not always. The kind of brotherhood that sends men back into the fire or fire fight to bring home a brother. It goes beyond like, may not even include like. It’s deep connection and trust.

Talking with someone recently out of the military, he spoke about a friend like that. He said he didn’t really like the guy, and they are still in touch.

At Great Guys, men find that brotherhood that allows and promotes the vulnerability needed for the journey back. I remember sharing finally what I thought was my deepest darkest most embarrassing secret with Steve. Fearing judgment, what I heard instead was: “Me, too!” That was all he had to say. All the shame and guilt lifted. It took with it a lot of other needless shame and guilt, too. I could feel the energy I had used to keep a lid on it all now being released and available for much better use. I was empowered.

We’ve been close ever since.