Day 18- Hello? Is it me your looking for?

I am always amazed at how far technology has come in my adult life. One thing I am grateful for today is the cell phone. I got a call this morning from a dear friend who is one of those people that no matter how much time has passed between you, all it takes is a phone call and you are back to being as if it was only yesterday that you saw them.

I met Mathew through a group of friends. Little did I know, JUST how significant he would become in my life. We instantly became friends and what followed was his Dad giving Artyom his first job when he moved here from Russia, Mathew making sure I wore the most "chanel, chanel" eyeglasses and being my escort on business trips when the said business trip involved a trip to the East Coast. He said he couldnt let "Chair Chair" face the big city alone...Smile. A wonderful travel friend, we could have gone just about anywhere together. And since I dont have any pics on my work computer of him, I had to pull some from his Sunglasses Party that he threw at Frameworks- a store he is co-owner of.

When I got engaged to Artyom in January of 2005, it was Mathew that was my "stand in" as I was without a fiance, and feeling a bit lonely to be honest! Mathew was there for every weekend, movies, dinner, keeping me on track with visa paperwork, and wedding plans. He was a lifesaver during that time when I desperately wanted Artyom to be here in the States. He never let me doubt that the Visa would not come through and that we would be married without any problems. He was my Rock. Mathew even made the trip to Portland, OR to be there when I got married. Something he clearly did not need to do. (Mathew is the 2nd one from the Left). Isn't he handsome?!

Today I am grateful for Mathew. I am sure he does not realize just how important he is to me and how much I miss not seeing him every day. However, even though he is a bi-coastal business man, spending a few months on an off between here and Florida, we always find time to catch up and when we do? Its like it was just yesterday when I saw him. If you know Mathew? Consider yourself very lucky...I know I do.