Allie Alaniz: Hi everyone, I'm Allie Alanis, and I'm your host for this coffee date. Hello everyone. Today our date is Patrick Covington. known by our family as Mr. Patrick and Josh is here too. Hi. Patrick is a friend of our family and we met in a I feel like a unique way. and we wanted to talk about that today. This is almost like a follow-up episode on intrusive friendship that I did with Jessica Minkey. So without further ado, Patrick, would you like to say hello?
Patrick Covington: Hello, good people out there.
Allie Alaniz: First things first what are you drinking?
Patrick Covington: I am drinking ice cold water out of my favorite cup or jug or mug or whatever you want to call
Allie Alaniz: Is that a Stanley? Wow, okay. Yes.
Patrick Covington: Mm-hmm. Stanley Red. Red's my favorite. For the record I had
Allison Alaniz: Josh and I
Patrick Covington: Stanley before it was popular.
Allison Alaniz: Okay. Okay. trend setter. Josh and I are drinking out of the same tea mug. Like a gross couple. it's a London fog. do you have a pickup line?
Patrick Covington: Thought about this all day. All day. So my pickup line in my business, is beyond the door.
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: do I need to break that down or just let it linger?
Allison Alaniz: Let's break it down.
Patrick Covington: Okay. So if you really think in essence how we met, everything was virtual without the contact. It was contact with service is what you receive, right? You
Allison Alaniz: Yes.
Patrick Covington: know, you don't see the person, you see my image, but you don't see me physically the person. You just experience my service. Beyond the door pickup line, what that means to me is I consider myself a grocery concierge. So I want to give you an experience. I'm not just delivering your groceries. I'm not just shopping your groceries for you. When we met and when we really started to catch a vibe, I believe the line that I said was, I'm your eyes and your ears when you're in the stores. So I have to visually look and see and listen to what's out there to bring you the best.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. And you delivered.
Patrick Covington: So the beyond the door experience. Yep. And the beyond the door experience where that comes into play you'll be amazed, but I would say, hmm, less than 10% of my clientele will actually open the door and say, hey.
Allison Alaniz: Wow,
Patrick Covington: you guys are that small few that go beyond the door to say, hey, you know, and and you very complimentary. You know, you have cookies and snacks and sweets and things of that nature. So when you open the door to go beyond the door, it really that's that connectivity because that's what we seek as humans. We want that connectivity.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah, and one of the main reasons we always came to the door is because we well, first let me say we met through the shipped app, the grocery delivery. So that's what he's talking about. grocery concierge. I don't know if you know this, Patrick. I'm sure I've told you, but I hate grocery shopping. It is a sensory nightmare for me. And if we have to take any children with us at all, it is exponentially worse. Or harder, I guess would be a better word to say. And so we are eternally grateful for any time anyone's delivered groceries. we like shipped because you do text the whole time. So if they don't have something, you know, you go above and beyond even other shipped shoppers, but the fact that you'd be like, I think you're making chili, but they're out of this. So can we get this instead? Would that work for you? And that is really helpful because we've used not to like name drop, but we've used Kroger delivery before or like Kroger pickup. And it feels like they don't really try to substitute anything. They just say, We don't have that. And then you could be left in a bind. So we are always so grateful. So yeah, we of course would well I mean still you shop for us sometimes. We, bring coffee to the door or whatever sweet treat I've made at the time. And then the kids love you as Mr. Patrick. you've brought them toys and goodies and treats. I would say you've beyond delivered on Your business pickup line. Yeah. Beyond the door.
Patrick Covington: Grocery can see it. beyond the door. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. So that I feel like the fact that we came to the door and the fact that when we came to the door, you were ready to engage and have a conversation. I feel like we were both very open to just being personable and friendly. The cup of coffee or the little treats or gifts that you would get the kids, was like a little invitation saying, hey, I care about you as a person and I'm interested in your life just because you are a person. it would be easy and probably more convenient just to not answer the door and all our dogs and children come running out to you. Yeah. but we would miss out on so much. we would miss out on an entire friendship. But I think the way that started kind of turning from a surface level interaction to more of a friendship developing was those gifts. And then the turning point that I feel like was when you graduated grad school. So you work in the medical field mainly, right? That's like your main profession. And you graduated grad school and we got you a little trophy to say congratulations. And we were excited with you because we were like keeping tabs on your progression through grad school. after that, I feel like we were all just like, yeah, we're gonna be friends. Let's be friends. Do you want to share a little bit about how you got involved with shipped
Patrick Covington: Sure. So I love shopping.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I love grocery shopping, but I love shopping in general. I mean it's always about the hunt. It's always about the bargain. if I can get the most high quality item at the lowest price, it's amazing. And where
Allison Alaniz: The rush.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, it it is a rush. It does. It does if it does it it feels some type of, neurotransmitter up there. But the part two of that is to share the spoils of
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: my adventure. So I go on a shelf and if there's twenty items and if I can get them for ten cents, I'm gonna get all twenty items. I might give
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: eighteen away. Keep two for myself, but the smile on people's face, right? So shipped happened when I was at the grocery store
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: in twenty eighteen. It was the fall. my oldest son was gonna graduate in twenty nineteen. and I wanted to generate some type of extra income for that party, the graduation party. but it had to be something that I enjoy doing. So I saw
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: a guy And we're friends to this day. I saw a guy, he had on a shirt that said ship. I said, What is that? I thought I saw the commercial. And so he said he's a shopper. that's how it started. He said, Yeah, you can make extra funds and everything like that. But you're your own business. I'm with my wife, my lovely wife. I said, Hey, can you believe that? Like, you know, I can get paid to do what I enjoy doing. And she thought it was like a joke. She didn't think like she didn't think I was gonna follow through with it. And here we are, eight
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: years later. Eight years. It's actually eight years this month. And
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Wow.
Patrick Covington: I I don't regret it. I've met great people like you all. You two. You're you're
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: you and the littles.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. And we got to meet you because of it. So also I can't express to you how much it has helped our family. We live at capacity, I feel like. and if anything happens, we're just like, my gosh. And we've cut back on shipped recently. with Josh having been laid off for a while and stuff. and i've missed you but i also have seen you at the store several times while i was out shopping and you're having the time of your life and
Patrick Covington: You don't know what I do. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: i'm like i'll miss you patrick but then also outside of shipped we're a part of each other's life. Because when Josh did lose his job, we did say like, hey, we might not do ship for a while because, you know, funds and whatever. And you still came over for coffee and the kids got to see you. And we still were a part of each other's lives. And then your wife had surgery and we got to bring you a meal. That's what all our friends had two meals, yeah. which our friends have been doing for us lately, when we have been just super at capacity. That's like one of my favorite things to do and receive. So we just got to care for each other through that. also just prayer through all of that, you were really good about checking in and Asking how everything's going and So it really was beyond, it wasn't even just beyond the door, it was beyond your responsibility and your job description. And it's meant the world to our family. So we're super thankful for for you guys. We got to meet you and Kelly one day at Target when we just ran into you. We had all the kids and our nanny was there. the kids were all just like, Mr. Patrick and ran to you. And
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: I think my favorite part about that is that your wife was so happy to meet our family. it wasn't just like Mr. Patrick just shows up on our door and then like goes and lives his life, right? Like Like we're we are a part of your life because you talk to your wife about us and you talk to your family and everything. And I thought that was really cool. And just like going back to what you were saying earlier, Allie, when we open the door, like you didn't just run away. Yeah. We we've had other ship shoppers and like that's their job is to drop off the groceries and leave, and like that's great. And when we open the door, we say thank you, and then they run away, you know, and they're like, You're welcome by, you know, and that's fine. But you lingered in in like a good way, right? And then we were like, Do you want to come inside? And like, let me show you this thing we've been working on or whatever. Yeah. And it kind of went from there. Our younger daughter, you gave her this gray bear, this stuffed bear. She has slept with it. Since at Christmas we put little Christmas baubles, you know, like the little hair baubles. We
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: put Christmas baubles on her bear. And then she just even like this past week took him in for show and tell. Yeah. And showed everyone her
Patrick Covington: Wow.
Allison Alaniz: her favorite bear. I think you might have gotten her this stuffed cat too, that she also still has on her bed. And you got Jane a stuffed animal that she still sleeps with every night. it's just been a lasting impact and the kids the kids love you. And I think we always are thankful for adults who are really good role models. I had a question for Mr. Patrick. What encouraged you to keep coming back and just keep hanging out? I feel like I feel like every time you came you stayed longer and longer and like to have good conversation. But like why like why'd you keep coming back? What was the what was the appeal for you?
Patrick Covington: Well let me tell you, I I tell you that I said been in healthcare forever, but I've been in the behavioral health space for a long
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: time, and that's my passion. through that space you see families, they're broken or whether they're blended or they've been through so many different transitions, have you? And you see children that you know, struggle. And if only they had a chance, right? If only they had a chance.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: Like I'm talking about the pediatric population. So I met this cool family, these these two young people. Like I mean you know, call it what I see it. Like I have this this young
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: couple and they have these children and several of them are adopted. First, that takes a lot, a young couple, to give of themselves like that. that's selfless. So that touched my heart. So I ran and had to tell people about this young couple and their family.
Allison Alaniz: No.
Patrick Covington: They're their their wonderful blended family, right? And so as we move on and move through this journey, I'm like, you know, wow, you know, they were so vibrant. you just gave them what I feel is you selfishly gave them a great opportunity at life. And I think I
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: shared that with you guys. And if I didn't, I'm sharing it with you now, but I I thought I shared it with you. And I was
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: just blown away, like, wow, and I said we need more of you. It's not enough of you guys. It's not enough. So then I had to hold myself accountable. Like, well, what can I do to help? Well, what can I do to help? like I said, I'm a grocery concierge, but also I want to give more than what I receive. So what can I do to help? So it started off just something a little small. Can I just add a little something small? Because you you're doing so much. I I don't even know if you realize this, but on the outside looking in, I'm like, how are they doing this? Because they're doing a lot, right? So I said, if I can just Add a little layer, a little something, something, right? You know, whether it was like matchbox cars, those are things that I enjoyed when I was a youth, right? So then it it it it was like every time I just thought of like what different joy, a different thing I can introduce these young people to because they're only young for so long.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: And my goal was to as long as I'm part of their life and watching them, that I wanted to be a positive force. for them and that's out of love, admiration, and respect for their parents. So that's how it started. Like
Allison Alaniz: Well, thank you.
Patrick Covington: in the but I saw this. Like I'm like, wow. Like this is like like you see it on TV, but I'm seeing it in real life. Like really, like I didn't I've never met a family like you
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: in person. I see you on TV or something like that. And so and
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: you're you're genuine and you're loving and you're you're you're happy and you're you're doing this thing.
Allison Alaniz: Hopefully it's not a sitcom when you come over that type of T V show. You said we're happy and I'm like half the time I'm like,
Patrick Covington: Nah. By by by no means.
Allison Alaniz: Get out of the street. You're letting the dogs out. So happy. Well
Patrick Covington: Yeah, by no means. Yeah. And so so then on the sidebar, commonality, you never realize what you have in common if you don't
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: have the conversation. You said, yeah, we gotta
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: get beyond ourselves, right? Just start having conversations. So
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: the progression of time, you podcasting people, viewers or audience or whatever, right? I thought that I was a coffee snob wrong till I met
Allison Alaniz: Ha ha.
Patrick Covington: this guy. I thought I was a coffee connoisseur until I met these people. And
Allison Alaniz: That's right.
Patrick Covington: he's like, let me show you something. And he has a coffee lab in his basement. And I was jealous because I'm like, dude, I
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: wanted one of those 20 years ago. So it's just like, you know, every time, you know, I come, you just never know what you're gonna get, right? And it's just
Allison Alaniz: We are a box of chocolates, aren't we?
Patrick Covington: Yep, like I that's it, that's it. Like the box of chocolates, yep, forrest gum. But yeah, man, like when I saw it, I was
Allison Alaniz: Okay.
Patrick Covington: like, what? And again, I go tell my other 20 people, starting with my wife, you won't believe what he has in his basement.
Allison Alaniz: Good. So Pelle probably actually hates us, is what I'm hearing. Yeah, exactly. Like me and touching me. That's just kidding.
Patrick Covington: No, no. Ashley she ponied up. She got me like a she got me one of those, you know, a brevel. Nada remember we talked about this. You told me exactly it and she bought me she she did. So yeah. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. Yep. Yeah. All right. Yeah. Working on those skills. Yeah, he told me I had to go to his house and teach him teach him a couple of things. You should. You should.
Patrick Covington: Told you I'm and I'm taking and I was serious. I think you were gone that one day, Allie. You were gone that day,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: and I'm sitting in the basement and I'm like, Okay, all right, how do you do that? Okay, you do that, and I'm asking questions. Like, I'm like, he's showing
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: me, like, you know, we're going to school. I said, Look, I'm gonna keep asking you. So yeah, real. Yeah, yeah. So yeah, like I
Allison Alaniz: That's fun. I don't think I knew that. That's fun. You did it. So Yeah.
Patrick Covington: said, like this is genuine. it's so amazing, but we only have so much time in life, right? We don't have so much time in life. And when you look up, you're like, man, I'm this old dude, right? you have these sweet little people, and I said this from day one when we went beyond the door. how do we impact them? Because they are the leaders of tomorrow. They are.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: So how do we impact them? I always wanted to, just give them time and make time. Because people did that for me. They did that for my three sons. And they will turn out to be amazing adults because of you guys, the opportunity, and because of the village. And you allow me to be a part of that village.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. And we're we're very thankful for you guys. It's been it's been such a sweet friendship. you just said this, I think when Josh was on a work trip, me and his mom were holding down the fort here, but we did use shipped that week because I was like, There's no way I'm gonna be able to do all this. So we got to see you that week and we were talking about school for one of my kids. And your job history is like heavy on behavioral health and that's a big factor in his schooling and he hopefully will be going to the school that your son teaches at. we're really anxious about him going to a new school and like how that's gonna work out and the Lord has been really gracious and merciful that you're a part of our life and you get to say, like, no, my son works there and it's a great school. even just having almost a friend of a friend, because we haven't met your son yet, but knowing that there's someone there that has eyes on him that will be like looking out for him or whatever is such a huge comfort and relief. that and then you've you've been just like understanding when sometimes you come over and I was laughing when you were talking about you never know what you're gonna get 'cause I'm like your first time coming over to like drop off food. We open the door to say hi and dogs and children just keep coming out of the
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: door and you you came back. Yeah. Something we've said a lot to people is like, Thanks for coming back. I'm so surprised that you you braved it again. it is chaos usually. and they always run out to your car to greet you And to help. Yeah, to help carry stuff in. Mr. Patrick lets them help. But yeah, there's
Patrick Covington: Yeah help. Yeah. Yep. Exactly. Exactly.
Allison Alaniz: even been times when you've been like, Hey, you need to like listen to your mom and dad or, you know, make sure that you're you're behaving yourself or whatever and just the fact that they have like another adult who is like invested in their well being in their life has been super sweet as well. I think I think we we got a pickup line in there, right? Like he picked us up with you never know what you're gonna get. The all
Patrick Covington: Ha ha ha.
Allison Alaniz: and the all and east household is like a box of chocolates. I don't know if that's a good pickup line or a bad one. Some days you get coffee and a treat. And some days we look crazy and I'm about to cry. And you know, we're here for it all. There you go. do you have any thoughts on how people could brave being a little bit intrusive in other people's lives for the sake of really pushing through that like surface-level politeness in society? Or even I feel like with Something like shipped or grocery delivery. It's just a blatant, like, we don't want to talk to anybody. So like it's a contactless whatever. I feel like that was such a thing in 2020 and like COVID times. And then people were like, you know what? I actually like not talking to people. which sometimes I can relate to, but Do you have any advice on like how to kind of push through that yourself as a person and push past that to be open to Conversations because it's awkward at first to try to talk to a stranger. You don't know what they like or you know what they're about. how to just take that first step, in your experience. Cause it sounds like that's kind of your whole thesis of your shipped job is like you want. that relational aspect and to try to break through that contactless barrier.
Patrick Covington: Well, let me tell you that, in nursing, because I've been a nurse for 30 years. That's my profession. and then behavioral health is my passion. but being in healthcare, that's what we do. We're intrusive. we have seconds to assess you and to get your whole history. And you're gonna talk. You have no choice but to talk. Yeah, I'm gonna make you talk,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: right?
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: it's the unspoken too. So as you're talking, maybe you don't tell me everything, but I'm assessing to get the whole picture. and how do you do that? be in the moment, to be present. Number
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: one, you have to be in the moment, always be in the moment. Second, be observant. And you said that, like you know, you said like. There's times I remember quite often I say, Woo, you're cooking like a mother today, aren't you? Like, you know, because I'm
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I'm going through your your list. You don't give me a list. I'm just going through your order and I can see the ingredients, right? we should really, if ship is your business. Like ship is the the vehicle, right? They they are the corporation, the conglomerate. But then they have all these workers that are 1099. And so they can run their business under that umbrella as
Allison Alaniz: Okay.
Patrick Covington: long as they meet all those standards. But you know, how do you run your business? So for me, I really genuinely mean that. When I say I'm your grocery concierge, the concierge part, I'm giving you experience.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I'm gonna give you brown bags. I mean, not gonna give you plastic. If I can help, I'm not gonna give it. I even keep brown bags in my car.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: Because I want
Allison Alaniz: Naves.
Patrick Covington: you to have that experience. Like those are recyclable
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: and they stand up. I always try to look at every touch is how can I give you an awesome experience, even on my worst day? Because there's times you didn't
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: even know that it was probably a crappy Saturday,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: but I look forward to seeing you guys to energize me. And that's where. Let's get away from us as adults and get to what makes us whole as the children.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: They're innocent.
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: They speak how they feel. And
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: they they are that light. They are they that light. So, you know, they're the ones like, And so I always prepare myself. What can I do to surprise them? Or what can I do that, you know, like add a little spin. just to celebrate you. And so my goal
Allison Alaniz: Yeah, yeah.
Patrick Covington: was like, okay. How long can I be around this family and watch them grow? And I said that. I said, I want to see them. Like no matter what,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: like, you know, the grocery thing is gonna fade, but the
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: friendship, the relationship won't. So they'll remember
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. You
Patrick Covington: Mr. Patrick when they're 18, 19, 20. Remember, I would hold them like, okay, now when you're old, I wanna know. You know, like you'll
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: say, Patrick, Mr. Patrick.
Allison Alaniz: When they're eighteen, I'm still gonna be making pumpkin pasties for you with all the pumpkin you dropped at our house. Yeah, you were
Patrick Covington: Hello, hello, hello, hello, LeBom.
Allison Alaniz: you were observant. I remember like one day, I think it's it's probably close to like the holidays because I I do bake just atrocious amounts of baked goods on the holidays. And I think you were like, What are you baking? Yeah, you I I had like four packs of of powdered sugar and like tons of flour and then I was like, I
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah, you yeah.
Allison Alaniz: I'll show you. I will give you some when when the time comes.
Patrick Covington: That's how yep. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: Well with nursing you're seeing people in a hard time or like at their a low point. And it's not like a nice, neat, pretty meeting. It's like it's a messy situation that you're trying to help them out of. And I think A lot of people don't know how to deal with discomfort. Like even as little as like the awkwardness of starting a conversation with someone you don't really know or like small talk kind of. I get really anxious with small talk because I'm like, I don't know. I'm gonna start talking about childhood trauma in like five seconds. So we better we better connect. But I
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: feel like that skill as a nurse of like how to connect with someone and like not shy away from Hard stuff and still like make that connection. a lot of people see our family and they don't really know what to say or like how to ask questions or like they don't want to ask and then they just stay like ignorant I feel like you would just ask questions and also we are pretty open books. We don't really tell like their parents' whole story or anything out of respect. But I feel like you We're greeted by a entourage of children, dogs, and us trying to keep in the house and it didn't scare you away. You're like, Cool. I see the picture and you just like loved us accordingly and it's meant a lot to our family. For context, how long
Patrick Covington: What's that different?
Allison Alaniz: do you remember how long ago it's been since you first dropped off that order? I don't actually remember. So this is a test of all of us.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah. So that's a good one. I'm thinking Beyond two years. I go by cars.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Okay.
Patrick Covington: So if I recall right, it would have been in 23. Yeah, I think it was like 23 when we first met, because it was a vehicle that I had that's I had an accident in, so that's long gone. And then I got an another vehicle So it was like right that transition, it was right then. So if that's the case, then I think we're going on three years. Two
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: s stood out, but I think it was three years 'cause I can see the progression of your of your children.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. I was thinking I was thinking over two, and that's really special because our youngest was born in twenty twenty two. So like you saw him as like a eighteen month old and and like now kids are losing teeth and our
Patrick Covington: Ha ha ha.
Allison Alaniz: oldest is gonna be in middle school next year and that's crazy. You've been there for like a lot of life. Yeah. That's really cool. That's cool to think about. I was thinking like two Christmases, so this will be the third.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah, they there you go. Yep. Got it. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: Get ready for those goodies. That's right.
Patrick Covington: Ditto. Always got some sleeve, so
Allison Alaniz: Yes.
Patrick Covington: One thing to say. And and that
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: that is I think it was what you said to start all this discussion off as far as taking that chance to be friends, right? with you all, thank you for being vulnerable. Because you know, we've seen the highs and the lows. And who would have known again, we have more in common than we you know. We we have a part, right? you went through a rough patch, Mr. Josh.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: And then I turn around and I go through the same daggone thing. Not
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: that far after you. And still in it right now. Still in it right now. But when you were going through that rough patch, you didn't say what was me. You kept your head up, you know, you still give me coffee. You know, things you still you know, you guys still kept the house going. So I watched that, you know, I I admired that. And so By me being in that patch right now, you know, of course, you know, with your faith that keeps you going, but you know, you have you know, you have people right here that you can look at like, they did it, and we're gonna do it. So, you know, being vulnerable, yep,
Allison Alaniz: Iron sharpens iron. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: iron sharp as iron, proverbs. Yep. So I say that to say you know, when if you're vulnerable and you're open, that's genuine friendship. Yep. And we've done that, we've conquered.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah,
Patrick Covington: S.
Allison Alaniz: that's right. Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast. Thanks for being my
Patrick Covington: Yeah, thanks for having me.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Thanks. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: And the last thing is for three years I've pronounced your last name wrong. I think it's wrong in the app or something like that. That I, I'm looking at that. And I said,
Allison Alaniz: Uh-huh.
Patrick Covington: Where'd the I come from? My wife is gonna get me. Yeah, yeah. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: It might be wrong. No. All the niece, like all the nieces and nephews.
Patrick Covington: I would call you guys the Alance.
Allison Alaniz: it makes you feel better, I don't even know if my mom knows how to say our name correctly and that's right. We've been married eleven years, so yeah.
Patrick Covington: Okay, Alanese. All right. I got it. I got it.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. Well, thank you for being our date today, Patrick, and we will see you soon. I have thank I have goodies to deliver. we appreciate you and we love your family. it's been great so far. Here's to many more years of friendship. All right. Well, everyone, thank you for listening today. It's Been great catching up with you and let's catch up again soon. Bye.
Patrick Covington: Hello, good people out there.
Allie Alaniz: First things first what are you drinking?
Patrick Covington: I am drinking ice cold water out of my favorite cup or jug or mug or whatever you want to call
Allie Alaniz: Is that a Stanley? Wow, okay. Yes.
Patrick Covington: Mm-hmm. Stanley Red. Red's my favorite. For the record I had
Allison Alaniz: Josh and I
Patrick Covington: Stanley before it was popular.
Allison Alaniz: Okay. Okay. trend setter. Josh and I are drinking out of the same tea mug. Like a gross couple. it's a London fog. do you have a pickup line?
Patrick Covington: Thought about this all day. All day. So my pickup line in my business, is beyond the door.
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: do I need to break that down or just let it linger?
Allison Alaniz: Let's break it down.
Patrick Covington: Okay. So if you really think in essence how we met, everything was virtual without the contact. It was contact with service is what you receive, right? You
Allison Alaniz: Yes.
Patrick Covington: know, you don't see the person, you see my image, but you don't see me physically the person. You just experience my service. Beyond the door pickup line, what that means to me is I consider myself a grocery concierge. So I want to give you an experience. I'm not just delivering your groceries. I'm not just shopping your groceries for you. When we met and when we really started to catch a vibe, I believe the line that I said was, I'm your eyes and your ears when you're in the stores. So I have to visually look and see and listen to what's out there to bring you the best.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. And you delivered.
Patrick Covington: So the beyond the door experience. Yep. And the beyond the door experience where that comes into play you'll be amazed, but I would say, hmm, less than 10% of my clientele will actually open the door and say, hey.
Allison Alaniz: Wow,
Patrick Covington: you guys are that small few that go beyond the door to say, hey, you know, and and you very complimentary. You know, you have cookies and snacks and sweets and things of that nature. So when you open the door to go beyond the door, it really that's that connectivity because that's what we seek as humans. We want that connectivity.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah, and one of the main reasons we always came to the door is because we well, first let me say we met through the shipped app, the grocery delivery. So that's what he's talking about. grocery concierge. I don't know if you know this, Patrick. I'm sure I've told you, but I hate grocery shopping. It is a sensory nightmare for me. And if we have to take any children with us at all, it is exponentially worse. Or harder, I guess would be a better word to say. And so we are eternally grateful for any time anyone's delivered groceries. we like shipped because you do text the whole time. So if they don't have something, you know, you go above and beyond even other shipped shoppers, but the fact that you'd be like, I think you're making chili, but they're out of this. So can we get this instead? Would that work for you? And that is really helpful because we've used not to like name drop, but we've used Kroger delivery before or like Kroger pickup. And it feels like they don't really try to substitute anything. They just say, We don't have that. And then you could be left in a bind. So we are always so grateful. So yeah, we of course would well I mean still you shop for us sometimes. We, bring coffee to the door or whatever sweet treat I've made at the time. And then the kids love you as Mr. Patrick. you've brought them toys and goodies and treats. I would say you've beyond delivered on Your business pickup line. Yeah. Beyond the door.
Patrick Covington: Grocery can see it. beyond the door. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. So that I feel like the fact that we came to the door and the fact that when we came to the door, you were ready to engage and have a conversation. I feel like we were both very open to just being personable and friendly. The cup of coffee or the little treats or gifts that you would get the kids, was like a little invitation saying, hey, I care about you as a person and I'm interested in your life just because you are a person. it would be easy and probably more convenient just to not answer the door and all our dogs and children come running out to you. Yeah. but we would miss out on so much. we would miss out on an entire friendship. But I think the way that started kind of turning from a surface level interaction to more of a friendship developing was those gifts. And then the turning point that I feel like was when you graduated grad school. So you work in the medical field mainly, right? That's like your main profession. And you graduated grad school and we got you a little trophy to say congratulations. And we were excited with you because we were like keeping tabs on your progression through grad school. after that, I feel like we were all just like, yeah, we're gonna be friends. Let's be friends. Do you want to share a little bit about how you got involved with shipped
Patrick Covington: Sure. So I love shopping.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I love grocery shopping, but I love shopping in general. I mean it's always about the hunt. It's always about the bargain. if I can get the most high quality item at the lowest price, it's amazing. And where
Allison Alaniz: The rush.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, it it is a rush. It does. It does if it does it it feels some type of, neurotransmitter up there. But the part two of that is to share the spoils of
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: my adventure. So I go on a shelf and if there's twenty items and if I can get them for ten cents, I'm gonna get all twenty items. I might give
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: eighteen away. Keep two for myself, but the smile on people's face, right? So shipped happened when I was at the grocery store
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: in twenty eighteen. It was the fall. my oldest son was gonna graduate in twenty nineteen. and I wanted to generate some type of extra income for that party, the graduation party. but it had to be something that I enjoy doing. So I saw
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: a guy And we're friends to this day. I saw a guy, he had on a shirt that said ship. I said, What is that? I thought I saw the commercial. And so he said he's a shopper. that's how it started. He said, Yeah, you can make extra funds and everything like that. But you're your own business. I'm with my wife, my lovely wife. I said, Hey, can you believe that? Like, you know, I can get paid to do what I enjoy doing. And she thought it was like a joke. She didn't think like she didn't think I was gonna follow through with it. And here we are, eight
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: years later. Eight years. It's actually eight years this month. And
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Wow.
Patrick Covington: I I don't regret it. I've met great people like you all. You two. You're you're
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: you and the littles.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. And we got to meet you because of it. So also I can't express to you how much it has helped our family. We live at capacity, I feel like. and if anything happens, we're just like, my gosh. And we've cut back on shipped recently. with Josh having been laid off for a while and stuff. and i've missed you but i also have seen you at the store several times while i was out shopping and you're having the time of your life and
Patrick Covington: You don't know what I do. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: i'm like i'll miss you patrick but then also outside of shipped we're a part of each other's life. Because when Josh did lose his job, we did say like, hey, we might not do ship for a while because, you know, funds and whatever. And you still came over for coffee and the kids got to see you. And we still were a part of each other's lives. And then your wife had surgery and we got to bring you a meal. That's what all our friends had two meals, yeah. which our friends have been doing for us lately, when we have been just super at capacity. That's like one of my favorite things to do and receive. So we just got to care for each other through that. also just prayer through all of that, you were really good about checking in and Asking how everything's going and So it really was beyond, it wasn't even just beyond the door, it was beyond your responsibility and your job description. And it's meant the world to our family. So we're super thankful for for you guys. We got to meet you and Kelly one day at Target when we just ran into you. We had all the kids and our nanny was there. the kids were all just like, Mr. Patrick and ran to you. And
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: I think my favorite part about that is that your wife was so happy to meet our family. it wasn't just like Mr. Patrick just shows up on our door and then like goes and lives his life, right? Like Like we're we are a part of your life because you talk to your wife about us and you talk to your family and everything. And I thought that was really cool. And just like going back to what you were saying earlier, Allie, when we open the door, like you didn't just run away. Yeah. We we've had other ship shoppers and like that's their job is to drop off the groceries and leave, and like that's great. And when we open the door, we say thank you, and then they run away, you know, and they're like, You're welcome by, you know, and that's fine. But you lingered in in like a good way, right? And then we were like, Do you want to come inside? And like, let me show you this thing we've been working on or whatever. Yeah. And it kind of went from there. Our younger daughter, you gave her this gray bear, this stuffed bear. She has slept with it. Since at Christmas we put little Christmas baubles, you know, like the little hair baubles. We
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: put Christmas baubles on her bear. And then she just even like this past week took him in for show and tell. Yeah. And showed everyone her
Patrick Covington: Wow.
Allison Alaniz: her favorite bear. I think you might have gotten her this stuffed cat too, that she also still has on her bed. And you got Jane a stuffed animal that she still sleeps with every night. it's just been a lasting impact and the kids the kids love you. And I think we always are thankful for adults who are really good role models. I had a question for Mr. Patrick. What encouraged you to keep coming back and just keep hanging out? I feel like I feel like every time you came you stayed longer and longer and like to have good conversation. But like why like why'd you keep coming back? What was the what was the appeal for you?
Patrick Covington: Well let me tell you, I I tell you that I said been in healthcare forever, but I've been in the behavioral health space for a long
Allison Alaniz: Mm.
Patrick Covington: time, and that's my passion. through that space you see families, they're broken or whether they're blended or they've been through so many different transitions, have you? And you see children that you know, struggle. And if only they had a chance, right? If only they had a chance.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: Like I'm talking about the pediatric population. So I met this cool family, these these two young people. Like I mean you know, call it what I see it. Like I have this this young
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: couple and they have these children and several of them are adopted. First, that takes a lot, a young couple, to give of themselves like that. that's selfless. So that touched my heart. So I ran and had to tell people about this young couple and their family.
Allison Alaniz: No.
Patrick Covington: They're their their wonderful blended family, right? And so as we move on and move through this journey, I'm like, you know, wow, you know, they were so vibrant. you just gave them what I feel is you selfishly gave them a great opportunity at life. And I think I
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: shared that with you guys. And if I didn't, I'm sharing it with you now, but I I thought I shared it with you. And I was
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: just blown away, like, wow, and I said we need more of you. It's not enough of you guys. It's not enough. So then I had to hold myself accountable. Like, well, what can I do to help? Well, what can I do to help? like I said, I'm a grocery concierge, but also I want to give more than what I receive. So what can I do to help? So it started off just something a little small. Can I just add a little something small? Because you you're doing so much. I I don't even know if you realize this, but on the outside looking in, I'm like, how are they doing this? Because they're doing a lot, right? So I said, if I can just Add a little layer, a little something, something, right? You know, whether it was like matchbox cars, those are things that I enjoyed when I was a youth, right? So then it it it it was like every time I just thought of like what different joy, a different thing I can introduce these young people to because they're only young for so long.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: And my goal was to as long as I'm part of their life and watching them, that I wanted to be a positive force. for them and that's out of love, admiration, and respect for their parents. So that's how it started. Like
Allison Alaniz: Well, thank you.
Patrick Covington: in the but I saw this. Like I'm like, wow. Like this is like like you see it on TV, but I'm seeing it in real life. Like really, like I didn't I've never met a family like you
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: in person. I see you on TV or something like that. And so and
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: you're you're genuine and you're loving and you're you're you're happy and you're you're doing this thing.
Allison Alaniz: Hopefully it's not a sitcom when you come over that type of T V show. You said we're happy and I'm like half the time I'm like,
Patrick Covington: Nah. By by by no means.
Allison Alaniz: Get out of the street. You're letting the dogs out. So happy. Well
Patrick Covington: Yeah, by no means. Yeah. And so so then on the sidebar, commonality, you never realize what you have in common if you don't
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: have the conversation. You said, yeah, we gotta
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: get beyond ourselves, right? Just start having conversations. So
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: the progression of time, you podcasting people, viewers or audience or whatever, right? I thought that I was a coffee snob wrong till I met
Allison Alaniz: Ha ha.
Patrick Covington: this guy. I thought I was a coffee connoisseur until I met these people. And
Allison Alaniz: That's right.
Patrick Covington: he's like, let me show you something. And he has a coffee lab in his basement. And I was jealous because I'm like, dude, I
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: wanted one of those 20 years ago. So it's just like, you know, every time, you know, I come, you just never know what you're gonna get, right? And it's just
Allison Alaniz: We are a box of chocolates, aren't we?
Patrick Covington: Yep, like I that's it, that's it. Like the box of chocolates, yep, forrest gum. But yeah, man, like when I saw it, I was
Allison Alaniz: Okay.
Patrick Covington: like, what? And again, I go tell my other 20 people, starting with my wife, you won't believe what he has in his basement.
Allison Alaniz: Good. So Pelle probably actually hates us, is what I'm hearing. Yeah, exactly. Like me and touching me. That's just kidding.
Patrick Covington: No, no. Ashley she ponied up. She got me like a she got me one of those, you know, a brevel. Nada remember we talked about this. You told me exactly it and she bought me she she did. So yeah. Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. Yep. Yeah. All right. Yeah. Working on those skills. Yeah, he told me I had to go to his house and teach him teach him a couple of things. You should. You should.
Patrick Covington: Told you I'm and I'm taking and I was serious. I think you were gone that one day, Allie. You were gone that day,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: and I'm sitting in the basement and I'm like, Okay, all right, how do you do that? Okay, you do that, and I'm asking questions. Like, I'm like, he's showing
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: me, like, you know, we're going to school. I said, Look, I'm gonna keep asking you. So yeah, real. Yeah, yeah. So yeah, like I
Allison Alaniz: That's fun. I don't think I knew that. That's fun. You did it. So Yeah.
Patrick Covington: said, like this is genuine. it's so amazing, but we only have so much time in life, right? We don't have so much time in life. And when you look up, you're like, man, I'm this old dude, right? you have these sweet little people, and I said this from day one when we went beyond the door. how do we impact them? Because they are the leaders of tomorrow. They are.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: So how do we impact them? I always wanted to, just give them time and make time. Because people did that for me. They did that for my three sons. And they will turn out to be amazing adults because of you guys, the opportunity, and because of the village. And you allow me to be a part of that village.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. And we're we're very thankful for you guys. It's been it's been such a sweet friendship. you just said this, I think when Josh was on a work trip, me and his mom were holding down the fort here, but we did use shipped that week because I was like, There's no way I'm gonna be able to do all this. So we got to see you that week and we were talking about school for one of my kids. And your job history is like heavy on behavioral health and that's a big factor in his schooling and he hopefully will be going to the school that your son teaches at. we're really anxious about him going to a new school and like how that's gonna work out and the Lord has been really gracious and merciful that you're a part of our life and you get to say, like, no, my son works there and it's a great school. even just having almost a friend of a friend, because we haven't met your son yet, but knowing that there's someone there that has eyes on him that will be like looking out for him or whatever is such a huge comfort and relief. that and then you've you've been just like understanding when sometimes you come over and I was laughing when you were talking about you never know what you're gonna get 'cause I'm like your first time coming over to like drop off food. We open the door to say hi and dogs and children just keep coming out of the
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: door and you you came back. Yeah. Something we've said a lot to people is like, Thanks for coming back. I'm so surprised that you you braved it again. it is chaos usually. and they always run out to your car to greet you And to help. Yeah, to help carry stuff in. Mr. Patrick lets them help. But yeah, there's
Patrick Covington: Yeah help. Yeah. Yep. Exactly. Exactly.
Allison Alaniz: even been times when you've been like, Hey, you need to like listen to your mom and dad or, you know, make sure that you're you're behaving yourself or whatever and just the fact that they have like another adult who is like invested in their well being in their life has been super sweet as well. I think I think we we got a pickup line in there, right? Like he picked us up with you never know what you're gonna get. The all
Patrick Covington: Ha ha ha.
Allison Alaniz: and the all and east household is like a box of chocolates. I don't know if that's a good pickup line or a bad one. Some days you get coffee and a treat. And some days we look crazy and I'm about to cry. And you know, we're here for it all. There you go. do you have any thoughts on how people could brave being a little bit intrusive in other people's lives for the sake of really pushing through that like surface-level politeness in society? Or even I feel like with Something like shipped or grocery delivery. It's just a blatant, like, we don't want to talk to anybody. So like it's a contactless whatever. I feel like that was such a thing in 2020 and like COVID times. And then people were like, you know what? I actually like not talking to people. which sometimes I can relate to, but Do you have any advice on like how to kind of push through that yourself as a person and push past that to be open to Conversations because it's awkward at first to try to talk to a stranger. You don't know what they like or you know what they're about. how to just take that first step, in your experience. Cause it sounds like that's kind of your whole thesis of your shipped job is like you want. that relational aspect and to try to break through that contactless barrier.
Patrick Covington: Well, let me tell you that, in nursing, because I've been a nurse for 30 years. That's my profession. and then behavioral health is my passion. but being in healthcare, that's what we do. We're intrusive. we have seconds to assess you and to get your whole history. And you're gonna talk. You have no choice but to talk. Yeah, I'm gonna make you talk,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: right?
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: it's the unspoken too. So as you're talking, maybe you don't tell me everything, but I'm assessing to get the whole picture. and how do you do that? be in the moment, to be present. Number
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: one, you have to be in the moment, always be in the moment. Second, be observant. And you said that, like you know, you said like. There's times I remember quite often I say, Woo, you're cooking like a mother today, aren't you? Like, you know, because I'm
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I'm going through your your list. You don't give me a list. I'm just going through your order and I can see the ingredients, right? we should really, if ship is your business. Like ship is the the vehicle, right? They they are the corporation, the conglomerate. But then they have all these workers that are 1099. And so they can run their business under that umbrella as
Allison Alaniz: Okay.
Patrick Covington: long as they meet all those standards. But you know, how do you run your business? So for me, I really genuinely mean that. When I say I'm your grocery concierge, the concierge part, I'm giving you experience.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: I'm gonna give you brown bags. I mean, not gonna give you plastic. If I can help, I'm not gonna give it. I even keep brown bags in my car.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: Because I want
Allison Alaniz: Naves.
Patrick Covington: you to have that experience. Like those are recyclable
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: and they stand up. I always try to look at every touch is how can I give you an awesome experience, even on my worst day? Because there's times you didn't
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: even know that it was probably a crappy Saturday,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: but I look forward to seeing you guys to energize me. And that's where. Let's get away from us as adults and get to what makes us whole as the children.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: They're innocent.
Allison Alaniz: Mm-hmm.
Patrick Covington: They speak how they feel. And
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: they they are that light. They are they that light. So, you know, they're the ones like, And so I always prepare myself. What can I do to surprise them? Or what can I do that, you know, like add a little spin. just to celebrate you. And so my goal
Allison Alaniz: Yeah, yeah.
Patrick Covington: was like, okay. How long can I be around this family and watch them grow? And I said that. I said, I want to see them. Like no matter what,
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: like, you know, the grocery thing is gonna fade, but the
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: friendship, the relationship won't. So they'll remember
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. You
Patrick Covington: Mr. Patrick when they're 18, 19, 20. Remember, I would hold them like, okay, now when you're old, I wanna know. You know, like you'll
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: say, Patrick, Mr. Patrick.
Allison Alaniz: When they're eighteen, I'm still gonna be making pumpkin pasties for you with all the pumpkin you dropped at our house. Yeah, you were
Patrick Covington: Hello, hello, hello, hello, LeBom.
Allison Alaniz: you were observant. I remember like one day, I think it's it's probably close to like the holidays because I I do bake just atrocious amounts of baked goods on the holidays. And I think you were like, What are you baking? Yeah, you I I had like four packs of of powdered sugar and like tons of flour and then I was like, I
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah, you yeah.
Allison Alaniz: I'll show you. I will give you some when when the time comes.
Patrick Covington: That's how yep. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: Well with nursing you're seeing people in a hard time or like at their a low point. And it's not like a nice, neat, pretty meeting. It's like it's a messy situation that you're trying to help them out of. And I think A lot of people don't know how to deal with discomfort. Like even as little as like the awkwardness of starting a conversation with someone you don't really know or like small talk kind of. I get really anxious with small talk because I'm like, I don't know. I'm gonna start talking about childhood trauma in like five seconds. So we better we better connect. But I
Patrick Covington: Yeah.
Allison Alaniz: feel like that skill as a nurse of like how to connect with someone and like not shy away from Hard stuff and still like make that connection. a lot of people see our family and they don't really know what to say or like how to ask questions or like they don't want to ask and then they just stay like ignorant I feel like you would just ask questions and also we are pretty open books. We don't really tell like their parents' whole story or anything out of respect. But I feel like you We're greeted by a entourage of children, dogs, and us trying to keep in the house and it didn't scare you away. You're like, Cool. I see the picture and you just like loved us accordingly and it's meant a lot to our family. For context, how long
Patrick Covington: What's that different?
Allison Alaniz: do you remember how long ago it's been since you first dropped off that order? I don't actually remember. So this is a test of all of us.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah. So that's a good one. I'm thinking Beyond two years. I go by cars.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Okay.
Patrick Covington: So if I recall right, it would have been in 23. Yeah, I think it was like 23 when we first met, because it was a vehicle that I had that's I had an accident in, so that's long gone. And then I got an another vehicle So it was like right that transition, it was right then. So if that's the case, then I think we're going on three years. Two
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: s stood out, but I think it was three years 'cause I can see the progression of your of your children.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. I was thinking I was thinking over two, and that's really special because our youngest was born in twenty twenty two. So like you saw him as like a eighteen month old and and like now kids are losing teeth and our
Patrick Covington: Ha ha ha.
Allison Alaniz: oldest is gonna be in middle school next year and that's crazy. You've been there for like a lot of life. Yeah. That's really cool. That's cool to think about. I was thinking like two Christmases, so this will be the third.
Patrick Covington: Yeah, yeah, they there you go. Yep. Got it. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: Get ready for those goodies. That's right.
Patrick Covington: Ditto. Always got some sleeve, so
Allison Alaniz: Yes.
Patrick Covington: One thing to say. And and that
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: that is I think it was what you said to start all this discussion off as far as taking that chance to be friends, right? with you all, thank you for being vulnerable. Because you know, we've seen the highs and the lows. And who would have known again, we have more in common than we you know. We we have a part, right? you went through a rough patch, Mr. Josh.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: And then I turn around and I go through the same daggone thing. Not
Allison Alaniz: Yeah.
Patrick Covington: that far after you. And still in it right now. Still in it right now. But when you were going through that rough patch, you didn't say what was me. You kept your head up, you know, you still give me coffee. You know, things you still you know, you guys still kept the house going. So I watched that, you know, I I admired that. And so By me being in that patch right now, you know, of course, you know, with your faith that keeps you going, but you know, you have you know, you have people right here that you can look at like, they did it, and we're gonna do it. So, you know, being vulnerable, yep,
Allison Alaniz: Iron sharpens iron. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: iron sharp as iron, proverbs. Yep. So I say that to say you know, when if you're vulnerable and you're open, that's genuine friendship. Yep. And we've done that, we've conquered.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah,
Patrick Covington: S.
Allison Alaniz: that's right. Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast. Thanks for being my
Patrick Covington: Yeah, thanks for having me.
Allison Alaniz: Yeah. Thanks. Yeah.
Patrick Covington: And the last thing is for three years I've pronounced your last name wrong. I think it's wrong in the app or something like that. That I, I'm looking at that. And I said,
Allison Alaniz: Uh-huh.
Patrick Covington: Where'd the I come from? My wife is gonna get me. Yeah, yeah. Yep.
Allison Alaniz: It might be wrong. No. All the niece, like all the nieces and nephews.
Patrick Covington: I would call you guys the Alance.
Allison Alaniz: it makes you feel better, I don't even know if my mom knows how to say our name correctly and that's right. We've been married eleven years, so yeah.
Patrick Covington: Okay, Alanese. All right. I got it. I got it.
Allison Alaniz: Yes. Well, thank you for being our date today, Patrick, and we will see you soon. I have thank I have goodies to deliver. we appreciate you and we love your family. it's been great so far. Here's to many more years of friendship. All right. Well, everyone, thank you for listening today. It's Been great catching up with you and let's catch up again soon. Bye.
