Joel Byford at Tom Bissell at Brasserie St James in Reno on 11 March 2026

I met Joel in Kindergarten at Harder Elementary School way back in 1977. He was in my class every year. After 7th grade we went to different high schools. He was in band, and I played football, and every year our schools would play each other, and I’d see him at the games. But the last time I saw him was probably 1988 or 1989. Until last night.

Over the years we’ve had some contact. First on CompuServe way back in 1995. Facebook and LinkedIn and various social medias. And recently with text messages.

Joel was in Reno for work this week, and we had dinner together last night. Although 37 years have passed, it felt like I’d just seen him yesterday.

As I was dropping off Joel at his hotel last night I said to him, “Let’s not wait another 40 years to do this again.”