here we go!
The trust
Gayle and
I have cultivated is
hard to describe—and
hard to find. It’s part
of what makes our
friendship so
special.I
IT’S RARE THAT I make a big decision
without asking Gayle King for her input.
Of course, even if I didn’t ask, Gayle would
offer. That’s the kind of person she is, and
that’s fine with me. After all these years, I
know I can count on her counsel, rely on
her judgment, and depend on her taste.
The taste part I mean literally. I recently
hired a new chef after a yearlong search.
As you might imagine, Gayle was among
the first people I invited to my table to
sample his work. Chef Raymond knew just
how to win her over: After he heard she
liked peaches, he made her a special peach
salad to go with our perfectly delicious
pan-roasted sea bass. Sealed the deal.
If Gayle had disliked Raymond’s food,
would I have made the same decision?
Well, I’ll say this: If she disagrees with
something I want to do, it gives me pause.
The reverse is true, too. The few times
Gayle has ignored my advice, she says she’sregretted it. The trust we’ve cultivated is
hard to describe—and hard to find. It’s part
of what makes our friendship so special and
such a sustaining force in both of our lives.
I don’t follow Gayle on Instagram
(because I don’t follow anyone on
Instagram). In some friendships, that
would be a major problem—in ours it’s not
even a blip. But technology surely has
changed the way we interact with the
people we love—hence this month’s guide
to being a good friend circa 2019 (page 94).
Here’s to all the BFFs out there—the
people who want nothing but the best for
each other, whether what’s at stake is a
job, a marriage, or just a serving of sea
bass. May you always have a true friend in
your corner, and may you savor theEnjoy!@OPRAHMAGAZINESEPTEMBER (^201919)