Celebrating Terry’s Birthday

Today is Terry’s birthday. I’m so happy and lucky to know him. Every day, he pushes me to be a better person and supports me in my quest to live a more remarkable life. In his honor, I’m going to tell the story of how we first met.

Two and a half years ago, I went to a Christmas party for the tech crowd in San Francisco. As I was making the rounds and trying to introduce myself to everyone I could (the ever-diligent PR girl), I noticed an asian dude decked out in a suit carrying a huge, professional-grade camera and taking photos of everyone. “That is the most adorable guy I’ve ever seen!” I remarked to my friend. I don’t know why but I instantly felt a kinship with this stranger and wanted to know more about him. I went up to him, I’m sure there were a few words exchanged that I have long-since forgotten, and he took a few photos of me.

Fast forward to a few months later. I’m at another tech party, and I see the guy again. Even though I hardly know the guy I’m excited to see him and I say hello. “Do we know each other?” he says quizzically, almost appearing scared of me, the crazy girl feigning intimacy when he has no idea who I am. “We met at Sanford Barr’s holiday party. Remember? You’re that guy that takes pictures and you do Lunch 2.0 too, right?” “It’s a little creepy how much you know about me,” he says. Ouch! Despite the obvious diss, I’m still determined to get to know him.

Another month later I see him at House of Shields, the bar where they are holding Spontaneous Drinking Night. I walk up to him, hell-bent on making sure he remembers who I am this time. I preempt his response. “Hey, remember me? I’m that creepy girl who knows too much about you.” He laughs. He still doesn’t remember who I am. “Tell me your name again, and I promise I’ll remember it,” he says.

“Marie.”

“How am I supposed to remember that! That name’s too common.” He laughs again. “I’ll have to remember you by your last name, what is it?”

“Williams.”

“OK, now I’m really screwed.”

After providing him with a few more details to help him remember me, he decides that he’ll start calling me “Marie Williams of SHIFT PR, PR firm of the year 2007” so he won’t forget. It only took a few weeks for that to wear off, and soon we became the best of friends. Two years later, he is still my best friend. I’m sure now he is glad I didn’t give up on trying to be his friend and persisted despite being the “creepy” girl. 🙂

I’m so happy it’s your birthday, Terry, and that I get to share it with you.

June 9, 2010 by marie | 6 Comments