When You Take A Risk With A Friend

My friends helped me get ready for college and move from very rural Missouri to very urban St. Louis.

No, they didn’t go to the same small Bible college, live in Florissant, or even in the Metro area. I drove to school by myself and not one friend or family member helped me move into my dorm room. These were the days before cell phones, GPS, Skype, and Facebook so I did not chat with anyone after I got to school.

My friends sent me off by taking risks with me.

We faced down wild pitchers in Little League, camped in all kinds of places, took short road trips, floated down rivers, and ate weird food. We shared stories of first dates, prom, asking girls out, and first kisses. We told each other scary stories during sleepovers, told our happy and sad moments, and shot each other with Nerf (and maybe other types of) guns.

I learned risk management with my guys.

We pushed our comfort zones riding in cars with one another. Friday and Saturday nights had a lot of options and we found the places where we fit with other teenagers. Of course, we talked about how to get away with shenanigans in class and at home without suffering too many consequences.

College friends, first-job friends, first-kid friends, mid-life friends, and cross-cultural friends have all helped me grow by taking risks.

So, who are the guys in your life you take risks with on a regular basis? When was the last time you got a thrill from doing something without a certain outcome? Who were the guys that you most enjoyed taking risks with as a kid?

I know you have risk stories. I dare you to write some more with a friend or two.

Taking risks with friends continues throughout life—and it cements us together.