I actually think some of my best moments in life have been while

Hear the words of Kevin Systrom, creator and dreamer, who reflected: “I actually think some of my best moments in life have been while I was with people from Instagram—whether it’s super late nights getting a release out or being able to travel to places I’d never visited and meeting some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.” Though modern in sound, these words carry an eternal truth: the sweetest victories of life are not the monuments we build alone, but the journeys we share with companions who labor and dream beside us.

To speak of “best moments” is to confess that joy is not found merely in achievement, but in fellowship. The long nights of struggle, the weariness of labor, become radiant when borne in unity with others. What would be exhaustion becomes memory; what would be burden becomes triumph, because it is shared. Systrom teaches us that the heart of achievement lies not in the cold perfection of a finished work, but in the laughter, the struggle, the discovery, and the humanity found along the way.

The origin of these words lies in the story of Instagram, born from humble beginnings into a force that reshaped how the world shares its vision. Kevin Systrom, together with his co-founder, did not walk an easy path. There were endless lines of code, frantic launches, sleepless nights, and countless trials. Yet when he looks back, it is not only the success of the platform he recalls—it is the people, the moments of togetherness, the places opened to him because of the shared journey. Thus his quote shines: even in the realm of great innovation, the treasure lies in human connection.

History too bears witness to this wisdom. Consider the tale of the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, who did not conquer the skies in solitude. Their countless failures in the sands of Kitty Hawk might have broken them had they been alone. But together they carried one another through despair, and when at last the machine took flight, the glory was not in fame, but in brotherhood. Like Systrom’s nights of labor with his companions, their success was sweet because it was shared, because every hardship had forged a bond deeper than invention itself.

There is in Systrom’s words also a celebration of travel and meeting others—the reminder that some of life’s greatest gifts are the souls we encounter. Innovation, creation, and labor open doors to worlds we would not otherwise walk, to voices we would not otherwise hear. Each person met, each land seen, is a thread woven into the tapestry of a life well-lived. In this, his quote reminds us of the ancient truth: the wealth of life is not measured in gold, but in experiences, friendships, and the stories we gather along the way.

The lesson, then, is powerful: cherish the journey more than the destination. When you work, do not despise the long hours or the strain, for in them you may find fellowship that will light your memory for years to come. When you travel, open your heart to those you meet, for they may carry wisdom or laughter that enriches you more than the land itself. Do not wait until success is achieved to rejoice—rejoice in the labor itself, for those moments are the real treasures.

Practical wisdom follows: in your own life, do not measure greatness only by what you accomplish, but by who walks with you along the way. Cultivate gratitude for your companions. Honor those who labor beside you. Seek not only profit in your endeavors, but people and moments that will live in your heart long after the work is done. In this way, even sleepless nights and weary journeys will become jewels of memory.

So let Kevin Systrom’s words be remembered: “Some of my best moments… have been with people from Instagram.” His voice teaches that the glory of work is not found in solitude, but in shared humanity. Let us then walk our paths not as lone wanderers, but as companions, finding joy not only in the victories we win, but in the faces, voices, and memories that light the way. For in the end, it is not only the creation that matters, but the fellowship that makes life radiant.