Today, June 4th is my ultimate concierge‘s and my late husband Michael’s birthdays. I am celebrating both of them. I lit a candle for Michael and send my heartfelt prayers to him and our family. I will celebrate Shelly’s birthday in Miami Beach, at a dinner party, together with some of our very close friends.

Two loves at different stages of my life. I was 18 years old, a freshman in college when I met Michael in Miami Beach over Christmas vacation. We were both traveling with our families.

I met Shelly in Chicago after Michael passed away from a sudden and unexpected heart attack.  I was a young widow in my 40s. The city of Chicago played a significant role in both my personal journey and in Sheldon Good’s professional life, serving as a vibrant backdrop for new beginnings. (Read here about the tools I used to survive widowhood.)

It is now 33 years later. I have led an amazing life with gigantic hills and the lowest of valleys. As a woman far over 50, I am the wife of the man I call my ultimate concierge, who, in my mind, is bigger than life. I am the Matriarch of a large blended family, the founder of HoneyGood.com, and a group of women thousands strong who, along with my family, call me Honey, my actual grandmother name. The role of Matriarch is deeply meaningful to me, just as the role of father and family patriarch was to Michael, whose leadership and presence shaped our family in so many ways.

Today I celebrate my husband with a love letter.

Sheldon Good

Sheldon Good is a name synonymous with innovation and excellence in the world of real estate auctions. As the visionary founder of Sheldon Good & Company, he has forever changed the landscape of how commercial portfolios and residential properties are bought and sold across America. Over a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, Sheldon has built the most successful platform for real estate auctions, a fact widely acknowledged by prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Fortune.

From the company’s headquarters in Chicago to key regional offices in San Francisco, Denver, and Miami, Sheldon Good & Company has orchestrated the sale of billions of dollars worth of properties, serving a diverse clientele and every asset class imaginable. Under Sheldon’s leadership, the company pioneered accelerated sales strategies, open outcry auction programs, and sealed bid offerings—tools that have become industry standards and have helped countless clients achieve their real estate goals.

Sheldon’s commitment to innovation is matched only by his dedication to integrity and customer satisfaction. His company’s partnership with Racebrook Capital has brought new technological advancements and strategic support, ensuring that Sheldon Good & Company remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to deliver exceptional results for clients nationwide.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sheldon Good is deeply respected for his civic involvement and philanthropic spirit. He has always believed in giving back to the community, supporting numerous charitable initiatives and fostering a culture of generosity within his company. His legacy is not only measured in dollars and deals but in the positive impact he has made on the industry and the lives of those around him.

As a respected authority in real estate, Sheldon Good’s influence continues to inspire both seasoned professionals and newcomers to the field. His forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have solidified Sheldon Good & Company’s reputation as the go-to destination for real estate auctions and commercial sales. With a future as bright as its history, the company stands as a testament to Sheldon’s vision, leadership, and enduring passion for the industry.

Dear Shelly,

Happy Birthday!

The moment I saw you for the first time thirty-three years ago, my little heart flipped.  To be honest, my feelings were electrifying. As you know, I had been a widow for ten months on that sunny November day in 1990. You were my first and only date after Michael passed away.  I was very trepidatious. As you said later, “Honey, you were almost like marrying the Virgin Mary!”

I can still see you getting out of your car to pick me up. I still recall the suit you wore, how you moved, and your smile.

From that first moment to this day, thirty-three years later, whenever I see you enter a room, my little heart goes pitter-patter. I am madly in love with you. While I recognize that I am important to the success of our relationship and that usually, as my mother taught me, the woman makes a marriage work, the role you have played equaled mine.

When my cup is feeling empty, you fill it up. You have always made me your priority.

I am grateful every day over the past thirty-three years of marriage that I am Mrs. Sheldon Good.

This Is That Soul Thing Called Love

Shelly Good, every action we take is proceeded by a thought. When I met you in my early 40s, I knew the importance of listening and following my heart. So did you.

When we met, we knew we did not have to look further for love. This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

My first feeling when I saw you get out of the car, before you uttered a word, you took my breath away! I fell head over heels.

This is that thing called love.

Your first words to me were, “I feel I have known you forever.” I felt the same.

This is that thing called love.

Love is electrifying. Love is intoxicating. That is how I felt when I met you. It is how I feel today 33 years later, only more so.

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

On our momentous first date on that sunny November day, you took me to the Pump Room, a beautiful restaurant, for brunch. After spending two hours together, your thoughts turned to romance.

You turned to me and said, “I made a list of seven qualities I am looking for in a wife. You have all of them. I am going to marry you!” Your words startled me, and my little heart skipped several beats. I knew I would be your wife. I knew and know I was born under a lucky star.

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

Our thoughts have always flown in the same direction, like a clear water spring, and our actions mirror one another.  If I had made a list of seven requirements I needed in a husband, my list would have matched yours. We are one.

It is magical to live with a like-minded husband. Our in-tune magic keeps the sparks flying. Our in-tune thought brings peace.

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good

I Love You, Shelly Good

In the few areas where we don’t mirror one another, I find our differences electrifying because two heads are often better than one. You are the Yin, and I am the Yang.

I love you, Shelly Good.

You are the realist and are grounded. I am your creative and adventuresome soul mate. You weigh everything. I have wanderlust. You tend to see the glass half empty. I tend to see the glass half full. You are my safety net, my rock. I am your ‘out-of-the-box experience.’

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

Do you recall the evening we took the kids to the rib joint? Remember there were sinks scattered to wash our hands after dinner? You said, “Let’s wash our hands.” You noticed I didn’t take a napkin from the table to dry my hands, so you took two. You asked, “Why aren’t you  taking a napkin in case there isn’t a towel?” I replied, “Because there WILL be a towel. You are the Yin to my Yang. This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

Our Fierce Family Closeness Keeps Us Together

You have allowed me to live my wanderlust lifestyle—together, traveling here and there and exploring new avenues. Remember our adventuresome trip to Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran? When I brought these ideas to your attention, you looked perplexed. You were leery, but you saw my enthusiasm and happily said, “Let’s go!” Oh, what adventures we have shared and how we have expanded our knowledge of the world and enhanced our lives as a couple. You have made every dream of mine come true.

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

One day I said to you, “I miss not having a dog in the house. I’ve always had dogs. Can we get a dog?” You mentioned you’ve never had a dog. But once again, you saw my need, and Orchid Good came into our lives. Now we have America Good, and you are as happy as I am. We are in sync.

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

We have lived through difficult ordeals: the suicide of a child, Cancer, estrangement from adult children, disloyalty from adult children, and other situations but survived because of our fierce closeness. Our life blows have made our marriage stronger, never breaking our spirit to love life, be grateful, and count our blessings. We are 100% soulmates.

I love you, Shelly Good

You Are My Dearest and Best Friend in The World

You are over the top open with your love. We have no secrets. I tell the world you are my ‘best girlfriend!’  I am so proud of you. Strong, powerful, intelligent, kindhearted, serious, curious, sexy, and charitable. You are ‘my beyond all.’ You excite me! You are the ultimate concierge!

This is that thing called love.

I love you, Shelly Good.

Do you know the secret you hold in your hand to have your wife say,

“There is no one in this world that I love more than you, Shelly Good.”

It is your essence; your presence. It is ‘the you’ in you.

Happy birthday, Shelly Good! May God bless you and keep you,

Business Operations and Management

Sheldon Good & Company, founded in 1965 by Sheldon Good, stands as a pillar in the world of real estate auctions, widely acknowledged as the most successful platform of its kind in America. The company pioneered the concept of real estate auctions for commercial, residential, and industrial properties, both nationally and internationally, transforming property auctions into a mainstream marketing tool for all types of real estate—not just distressed assets. With a rich history that spans over half a century, the company has sold billions of dollars worth of properties, including commercial portfolios, residential assets, and a diverse range of real estate across every asset class. Notably, in 1986, the firm executed a landmark auction event, selling 165 properties across three states in just eight hours. Their innovative approach—combining accelerated sales strategies, open-outcry auction programs, sealed bid offerings, and loan sales throughout North America and the Caribbean—has set industry standards and earned recognition from prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Fortune.

Strategically headquartered in New York City, with key regional offices in Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, and other strategic locations nationwide, Sheldon Good & Company is uniquely equipped to serve clients from coast to coast. This expansive reach allows the company to manage complex transactions, from large-scale commercial sales to specialized loan sales, ensuring sellers achieve maximum value and buyers gain access to exclusive opportunities. Their specialized marketing programs have attracted substantial interest and inquiries for single properties, and their proprietary Auction Pricing Model delivers the highest price to the seller and best value to the buyer. The company boasts the highest closing ratio for sales of commercial and residential property of any auction company. Sheldon Good & Company has also worked with major banks and financial institutions, further establishing its credibility and reach in the industry.

The company’s enduring success is rooted in the vision of its founder, Sheldon Good, whose leadership and commitment to excellence have shaped the company’s legacy. In a significant deal, Sheldon Good & Company was acquired in 2009 by Racebrook Capital, a New York-based private equity firm, which provided strategic backing and technological advancements to maintain industry leadership. That same year, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors on April 24, 2009. The founder, Sheldon Good, was likely to be among the bidders in the auction of the company, which was set to start at $1.2 million. The president of Sheldon Good & Company stated that the firm remains well positioned following the death of chairman and CEO Steven L. Good, underscoring the strength and stability of its leadership.

A hallmark of Sheldon Good & Company is its exceptional management team, comprised of professionals with deep industry knowledge and academic credentials from top institutions such as Harvard University and Northwestern University. Their expertise in real estate, marketing, law, and contract negotiations ensures that every transaction is handled with precision and care, whether it involves a commercial property in Chicago, a residential asset in Miami, or a complex portfolio in another strategic location. The team’s active involvement in industry and community activities, as well as their dedication to client service and ability to navigate the ever-evolving real estate landscape, have made the company a trusted partner for sellers and buyers alike.

Beyond business, Sheldon Good & Company is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. Sheldon Good himself is actively involved in charitable initiatives, and the company regularly supports local organizations and causes, helping to raise millions of dollars for communities across America. This spirit of giving back is woven into the fabric of the company, reflecting the values of its founder and the dedication of its team.

As the industry continues to evolve, Sheldon Good & Company remains focused on the future—adapting to new market trends, embracing technological advancements, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and excellence. The company closely monitors industry reports, such as those from the FAA, and recognizes the importance of transportation infrastructure in real estate development and investment. With a proven track record, a respected name, and a passion for innovation, the company is poised to continue its legacy as the go-to destination for real estate auctions and commercial sales in America. His family takes great pride in his achievements, knowing that his hard work, vision, and integrity have left a mark on the industry.

I Will Love You Eternally into the Future.

Yours

Suzi