One of the things I've appreciated about this hobby

Bochiman

is definitely some of the friendships.
I am not an extroverted person. I don't "make friendships" easily.
I do try to treat people with respect, until they do things to have that change, but, by and far, most people I've met through my numismatic journey, here and in real life, have been great people.

What I've particularly enjoyed has been turning some CU "friends" into real life friends. I know many others have done that too, but we don't always take the opportunity to tell each other that, and we take it for granted.

What spurred this? Not much. Just someone who I knew from the boards years ago, who got out of things for awhile and is now coming back, has been pinging me. I bought some of his coins and he has bought a few back, as I downsize, and I've liked the fact that the coins are back "where they came from".

Past that, I've really enjoyed meeting, repeatedly, some of my "local" CU members...both at shows and at lunch/random meet ups.
I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by forgetting anyone, so I won't do callouts other than to the top 3 that repeatedly show up in my limited world locally. In alphabetical order, the 3, for me: Lakesammman, Seattleslammer, and Swampboy.
Special memorial shoutout to 2 deceased members that I always enjoyed meeting over the years: Russ and RickO

From reading discussions on these boards for ~20 years now, I know others have similar stories and, early on, I was always jealous as I thought it cool to have hobby friendships like that, but I never wanted to push it.

braddick

Nicely put.
And... right back at you.
(I still have that pocket watch we traded for those early date PCGS MS67 Kennedy half dollars.)

Copperindian

Thoughtful post….and thread!