“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

This story isn’t about money, construction, or even the fence itself. It’s about the pure goodness and honesty of one particular human. So much so, every time I think of Andrew, I want to give him more—more respect, more gratitude, more opportunity. Integrity doesn’t come hardwired in most people, but in Andrew, it’s in his bones. It’s simply who he is.

Last week, I closed on my first major purchase here in Costa Rica: land! And the very first thing I wanted to do with it? Build a fence. While I take my time designing the houses I’ll eventually build, I can use the space as a dog park. With seven dogs and the tiniest yard in town, getting their energy out is the daily battle of my life.

My realtor recommended Andrew to help fence all 1.3 acres. And let me tell you, this land is no joke—jungle, hill, slope, flatland—you name it, I’ve got it. But Andrew came out, walked the land, and gave me a quote. In Spanish, he told me: “Su propiedad va a ser un trabajo muy difícil y grande, pero mis chicos realmente necesitan trabajar y nos gustaría empezar mañana.” Essentially, this is a big and difficult job but I would like to start tomorrow. 

He wasn’t fazed. I admired his honesty and loved his drive to start right away. He bought the cement, the posts, the fencing—and got to work. A popular fence here in Costa Rica for a large area like this is cow fencing. Which, for my OCD having to have the best, I was so ok with this as I could line the entire property with magnolias or bamboo which would make the fence impossible to see anyway. But a week into the job, he realized one entire stretch of the land would require much more work than expected: more tree removal, new posts, and extra labor. He’d underquoted me. He felt terrible but I told him, let’s do it, no problem.

Now, keep in mind, Ticos often make around $4 an hour. The jobs are grueling. The heat is unbearable all the time, and no lunch breaks here. And still, they show up day after day, month after month with a quiet resilience that humbles me.

When I asked Andrew what the new labor cost would be, since he’d already given me the price for materials, his answer left me speechless.

He said, “We’ll do it for free. I feel bad for the mis-quote. That was on me.”

I couldn’t believe it. These men who work in the hardest of conditions for so little—offered to do more for nothing, simply because of a small miscalculation. I messaged Andrew back and said, “Please, let me pay you. Your generosity is deeply appreciated, but I want to do what’s right.”

His response was sincere, and kind. That kind of honesty, that level of integrity—it’s rare. And it’s powerful.

So now I ask you: what if we all had a little bit of Andrew in us?

What if we lived with integrity so deeply rooted it guided every action? What if we gave more than we took, kept our word, and chose kindness even when no one’s watching?

Andrew didn’t just build a fence—he built something far more meaningful. He built trust. He reminded me that the world is still filled with good people. That real character isn’t about status or success—it’s about how you show up when no one expects you to.

May we all strive to be a little more like Andrew.

Because this is the kind of wiring the world needs more of.

His response was so kind. So humble. So real. In a world where many take shortcuts or look for what they can get, Andrew gave without hesitation. Not because he had excess, but because he has heart. The kind that doesn’t calculate, just gives.

It moved me deeply.

This story isn’t just about building a fence. It’s about building a life surrounded by people who remind you what goodness looks like. People like Andrew—who work in the heat, for little, live in extreme poverty yet still choose to operate with honesty, integrity, and generosity.

What if we all lived like that?

What if we chose to be the kind of people who do the right thing even when no one’s watching? Who give more than we take? Who bring light into the lives of others—not because we have to, but because it’s who we are?

Andrew reminded me that character is louder than words. And sometimes, the most powerful stories are found in the quiet, honest acts of everyday heroes.

So here’s to Andrew—and to all the people out there living with integrity in a world that desperately needs it. May we notice them, honor them, and be inspired to become more like them.

Because the world doesn’t change through big speeches or grand gestures. It changes one good-hearted person at a time.

Let’s be more like Andrew.