Happy Anniversary
Two years ago, today, Nate and I were married. We still have fond memories of our wedding celebration, and we’ve built so much together since then. Our wedding day holds so much significance, but in the grand scheme of things it’s just a reminder to spend some time together and do something we enjoy.
We’ve yet to develope a tradition for our anniversary. Granted, this is only our second, but we’ve managed to create some rather interesting other traditions in our short time together. For example, every year on March 19, we go to the Wing Dome and have wings and beer for dinner. That’s probably the only day of the year you’ll find us at the Wing Dome, but it’s an awfully fun tradition.
It all began four years ago, after the tragic bombings in the Madrid train station, March 11, 2004. Nathan had been in Madrid a few months prior to that day, and having been a New Yorker only blocks away from the twin towers on 9/11, Nate felt a strong emotional connection with those in Spain. He took it upon himself to reserve Westlake Park in Downtown Seattle for a memorial service on behalf of the victims of the bombing, and he invited his contact list to join him. (Nate has about 1500 names in his address book, so word got around pretty quickly.)
By the time the evening of March 19 rolled around, news crews had been alerted, print and t.v. reporters were on site, and the Canadian consulate of Spain had contacted Nate and asked to participate. Someone had created a PowerPoint presentation on their laptop, counting down the near-200 victims. In all, over 400 people joined together in Westlake Park to commemorate those who lost their lives due to terrorism in Madrid. Together we heard Madrid-natives speak of their fondness for their home-city; together we paid tribute to Spain; together we contemplated the awful effects of terrorism. We stood in the square, and in silence watched as the PowerPoint ticked down the 191 victims.
After that moving event, Nate and I were famished. The only place open and serving food near my house was the Wing Dome on Greenwood. We walked in, ordered some wings, some battered mushrooms, and some beer, and asked Wing Dome to turn on channel 5. We watched Nate on the 11 o’clock news and toasted to what would become an annual tradition.
–annual tradition except for the next year when we were in New York. Nate proposed in Central Park on a sunny, spring day, March 19, 2005.
Fundraising Season
Last Saturday, Nate and I attended the “Make A Wish Foundation” dinner and auction, courtesy of our friends, Ken & Amanda. The entire gang took up two tables and over the course of the evening things devolved from a classy, black-tie evening to benefit the children…
(Check out these HOTTIES!)
… to wee hours of the morning spent in drunken craziness, which included singing.
But I digress. With every auction that we attend, Nate and I try to set a budget before we set foot in the door. Unfortunately, we turn into total softies with the right mix of alcohol, good friends and teary stories about kids with life-threatening illnesses having their wishes granted. Way before we stumbled into the singing and dancing portion of the evening, we’d spent twice our budget allocation.
You’d think we’d learned our lesson, but within a matter of days, we’re back at it!
Today, I attended the Friends of Youth “Celebration” luncheon. Friends of Youth is a King-county based youth and family services organization that supports young people in challenging circumstances. They help kids through therapeutic foster care, safe houses for homeless, more-permanent residences for youth in transition, counseling, support and youth development and after-school places.I know so much about Friends of Youth because my firm is building their brand and developing their materials. But I’m connected with Friends of Youth, first and foremost, because my father-in-law is on the board.
When given the choice between sitting with my firm and sitting with my in-laws at the luncheon, I sat with my in-laws (partly because Nate didn’t give me the option, but also because I don’t see my in-laws every day). Since Nate developed a fever last night and opted to stay home, we pulled a switcheroo and moved State Representative Roger Goodman away from my firm’s table in favor of sitting next to a board member.
In reality, Rep. Goodman sat next to a board member’s wife, who, upon introduction looked at Rep. Goodman and asked, “Are you a Republican or a Democrat?” After hearing which side of the aisle he represented, my mother-in-law responded with, “Well, I’m not sure I voted for you then.”
To both their credit, common ground was found, and Susie found Rep. Goodman to have a “refreshing” perspective, even if he is a Democrat.
Fundraising season isn’t over, but at least there’s more than a few days before the next event. I’m sure there will be more stories to come, and we’ll see how this season fares on our pocketbook.
A Hero of Mine has Died
Arthur C. Clarke has died at the age of 90. Many of you who knew me well when I was much younger, will know of my appreciation for scifi. As a kid growing up, I would retreat to the adventures space explorers as the secured the outreaches of known space for the future of humanity.
It was all very exciting stuff, especially for a young and impressionable teenager. Sir Clarke (he was knighted in 1998) was one of the original great scifi authors, along with Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. All three of which I have read quite often.
Thank you Sir Clarke for your stories of exploration of the moon and solar systems, of short stories, and galaxy spanning civilizations. My favorite story, has been, and will always be “Rescue Party.” Which at its heart tells of the immense potential represented by Mankind. It is something that I continue to believe today.
Thank you for giving solace and escape to a young man who has never forgotten.