There are many things my clients can say or do that make my day: a kind word, thinking of me around the holidays or important life events, and, of course, trusting me enough to refer a friend or associate to me.

And there’s a special kind of appreciation I feel whenever a client asks me if one of their children can come work or intern for me, which has happened a few times.

But there’s no greater honor than when a client asks me to help their parents with investments or financial planning. To be a part of the whole family’s generational wealth strategy is a particularly golden privilege.

I am somewhat of a unicorn in this business in that I’m only 44 years old but have been doing this very work for 27 years. (27 years! Where has the time gone?!) That’s given me a key opportunity to establish long-term relationships, helping grandparents, their children, and just recently, their children’s children.

I can honestly say that I’ve grown and evolved right alongside my long-time clients, and we’ve experienced the good and bad of life together. I’ve seen plenty of clients retire (quite comfortably, I should add!). I’ve seen them have children and then years later, went to those kids’ Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, go off to college, get their first job, and start families of their own.

I’ve walked a few clients down the aisle, walked on the beach as we vacationed together, and, sadly, walked a widow to their loved one’s gravesite.

Through it all, it’s not about business for me, but the trust, the connection, and the fact that they choose to share their lives with me.

Of course, when you’re young, it’s all about “How much money can I make?” “How many clients can I get?” or “What awards am I going to achieve?”

As I’ve gotten a little older, a lot more experienced, and start to find a little more gray in my beard, I’ve come to realize that there is so much more to my life’s work than all of that.

Just this morning, a long-time client asked me to take over planning for his mother’s finances.

It reminded me why I’m in the business, and how it’s such a rare and special gift to be able to serve my clients through the decades and generations.

I’d genuinely like to say thank you for that.

-J.D.