Stretching back nearly three decades, Brian Williams and I have

In the long corridors of time, there are friendships that endure like mighty oaks, standing tall through the seasons of life. These bonds, forged through shared experiences, mutual respect, and unwavering trust, are often the most valuable treasures one can possess. Steve Capus speaks of such a friendship in his reflection: “Stretching back nearly three decades, Brian Williams and I have forged an enduring friendship.” This simple sentence, though unadorned, carries within it the weight of years, the story of two souls intertwined in the pursuit of a common destiny. Their journey began in 1986, at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, where the foundations of a lasting friendship were laid amidst the bustle of the world of news and broadcast.

In the ancient tales, we hear of friendships that are bound by fate—two warriors who stand side by side, not just because of shared goals, but because their hearts beat in unison. Think of the bond between Achilles and Patroclus, whose friendship was the very foundation of their strength. Their loyalty to one another was not simply a matter of convenience, but of shared purpose and mutual respect. So too, in the case of Capus and Williams, the friendship that began in the halls of WCAU-TV was not merely an accident of circumstance. It was born from a shared vision, a desire to tell stories that matter, and a mutual understanding that, together, they could achieve greatness.

As time passed, the friendship between Capus and Williams grew, leading them through countless experiences—triumphs, challenges, and even moments of reflection. Their journey was not just marked by professional success, but by a series of moments that would forever bond them in ways beyond their shared profession. The mention of “a bunch of trips to NASCAR speedways” brings forth the image of two men, not just bound by the weight of their careers, but united in their enjoyment of life’s simpler, thrilling pleasures. Friendships, like the winds that blow across the open fields, are strengthened in the moments of joy and shared adventure, where the heart is light and the spirit soars.

Consider the great explorers of old who ventured forth into the unknown, not as solitary figures, but as companions on a grand adventure. The Lewis and Clark expedition, for instance, was not the journey of one man, but of two men whose bond was essential to the success of their mission. They faced dangers, endured hardships, and overcame obstacles, but it was their shared vision, their brotherhood, that allowed them to accomplish the unthinkable. So too, Capus and Williams, though their journey was not across an untamed wilderness, ventured into the unknown world of broadcast journalism. Their friendship was their anchor in that world, a constant in the ever-changing landscape of the media industry.

The wisdom imparted by Capus’s words is clear: true friendship is not merely built on shared moments of success, but on a foundation of trust and shared experience. It is the bond that holds strong when the winds of fortune shift, when success and failure come and go. It is in these friendships, tested and proven over time, that we find the strength to move forward. Capus and Williams, through their years of shared work, have built something that transcends the professional. Their friendship is not just a chapter in their careers, but a story of two men who have walked side by side through the fires and the celebrations of life.

In our own lives, we must seek such friendships, not as fleeting alliances but as deep connections that will carry us through the challenges ahead. We must be willing to forge these bonds through shared experience, to put in the work of building something lasting and meaningful. Like Capus and Williams, we must recognize that the true value of any success lies not only in the accomplishments we achieve but in the relationships we build along the way. It is these relationships that will stand the test of time, that will remain as pillars of support when all else fades.

Thus, the lesson is one of loyalty, trust, and shared purpose. Let us honor the friendships we forge in our own lives, not just for the success they bring, but for the strength they provide in times of need. And as Capus and Williams have shown us, true friendship is not only a bond formed in the heat of the moment, but one that is nurtured and cherished through the years. Let us seek out these relationships, build them with care, and recognize their worth above all else, for in the end, they are the treasures that remain when all else is lost.