How fitting is it that shortly after I wrote that post yesterday I got an e-mail from Jay with a phone number, asking me to call him to set up plans to get together? Well, let me backtrack a little. I got an e-mail from “J” and the subject line was “Hey!!! Call me!” I came *this close* (pinchy-finger gesture) to deleting it, thinking it was porn spam! Then I noticed the Houston area code and realized it was from Jay.
I called him and we set up plans for lunch. He was kind enough to offer to drive up to my side of town, since I had an afternoon meeting with a client. After I gave him directions, I started naming off all of the local places. At first he said he didn’t care, but then he realized that Tex-Mex is one thing you just can’t get in Hungary – so we had to go to Pappasito’s! Mmmm…
It was FANTASTIC to see him again. I first “met” Jay online a year ago, thanks in part to MovableType and his need for beta testers for MT search. From there we became friends, and finally got to meet in person at SXSW last year.
Lunch was wonderful. Fun, laughter, catching up on where we are both at in life right now. Discussing mistakes made in the past and lessons learned that will help us in the future. The margaritas helped the chatter too. And as an added bonus – I got the Rosary he picked up for me in Rome and it is beautiful!
He’s off to New Orleans now, and after that he’s on to Europe. I won’t deny that I’m envious – to be able to live such a carefree life is a great thing, although I wouldn’t trade my life right now with anyone. I wish him nothing but the best in the journey ahead. It’s amazing the people you meet and the friends you make online.