A Dinner Nine Years Later That Still Felt Familiar

Dialogue Miles

Nov 11

Would I change a flight to have a long-overdue dinner with someone after almost nine years apart? Absolutely. Especially a friend like John Yianitsas.

We’ve known each other for more than thirty years. We met while working together at Sony Chemicals in Pittsburgh, and somewhere along the way, friendship turned into something deeper—the kind of trust that comes from building a market-share-leading business together.

Johnny was supposed to be part of the 100 Miles of Dialogue™ post-COVID-19, but life commitments shifted priorities, as they do—families, new hips, ankle PT, and our work.

But as luck would have it, our paths crossed at the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental.

We shared dinner, a bottle of Jordan Cabernet, and one of those easy, unhurried conversations that remind you why connection matters.

What I Walked Away With

Building something together creates trust that time can’t erase.
Shared experiences, especially the challenging ones, leave a lasting imprint.
Caring means sharing the whole journey.
The ups, the downs, and everything in between.
The second half of life should be spent with people who bring you joy.
That clarity becomes more important over time.
If a pool makes you happy, buy the damn pool.
Even if it’s just for your feet.
Knowing where people fit in your life puzzle is a gift.
Not everyone plays the same role and that’s the point.
Values rooted in caring belong to you.