Why I Gave a Complete Stranger a Bottle of 20-year old Bourbon

A few years ago, I was arriving home at the Nashville airport, in my routine.

All carry-on.

In my exit row seat.

My Hook+Albert garment carry on that's perfect for 3-day biz travel.

I hit the exact spot in the terminal to order my uber so it's pulling to a stop when I walk up.

I do this 40x per year, it's a science.

But then my pattern is broken. NCAA March Madness has basketball fans flooding the city. The uber wait is an extra 6 minutes, basically eternity.

I find myself next to a striking French-accent talking to his wife about how the uber they waited 14 minutes for... just cancelled. 17 more painful minutes on the sidewalk.

They didn't look like axe-murderers.

Something in me said "Hey, mine's here in 90 seconds. Where are you headed?"

I was on their way + 5 minutes.

Isn't it amazing what we'll do to save 10 minutes?

It was like I'd saved their vacation.

We hit it off and found we had mutual appreciation for fine dining and spirits. They were ballet dancers turned parents and a money manager. I told our uber to wait for a tip + 5-stars.

They came inside my house. I insisted they have a sip of my favorite bourbon: Orphan Barrel Barterhouse 20 year. I poured a sip for each of us and a little extra for serendipity. They reacted how I did. Where your eyebrows start moving, and your toes curl.

Then it happened.

I handed them the $150 bottle and insisted they have it. I've been friends with Karen and Sylvain LaPointe ever since. We've had more wine, more bourbon, and a 3-star michelin meal too. And more great conversations.

The 💡 I never want to forget? Radical generosity can accelerate trust and relationships by 15 months in 15 minutes. Never underestimate the power of an unexpected moment for yourself and for others.

If the secret to living is giving, then the secret to living life to the fullest might be giving to the fullest. That's why I want the message of my life to be one of radical generosity.