Today marks a milestone. It is a homecoming sort of day. Not only is it Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium it’s also the first official connection of Year 10 for The Promise 365.
I met my friend Christine at Panera Bread today but that wasn’t what we had planned.
We had actually planned to try The Farmer’s Daughter in Easton, Massachusetts. I have heard so much about this amazing place and we couldn’t wait to try it. However, when we arrived the crowd wrapped around the block and lining the brick wall across the street had another idea — to the tune of a one-and-a-half-hour wait. What? A 90-minute wait for brunch?
We were too hungry for that so we set off to find another option. Stonebridge Cafe it was. Until it wasn’t. They also had a too long for our tummies and schedules wait. So Panera Bread it was!
As I pulled into the parking lot I was surprised to see a Bertucci’s next door. How appropro! It was at Bertucci’s Home Office where I first met Christine so many years ago. I was Director of Marketing and She was Director of Operations. We had a symbiotic relationship (one that isn’t always found between marketing and operations departments). We worked together so well for the good of all, all of the time.
Christine has seen me through many life stages and I was so excited today to see her teenage daughter — the last time I saw this beautiful young lady she was an energetic little two-year-old.
Over brunch we caught up and I was curious to hear about the life and times of teenagers. Note: teenagers no longer “date” — they “talk” — just in case you’re trying to keep up.
In many ways today was a connection of a few kinds. Connecting with a friend, connecting with memories of an old job, and probably most important, connecting with a new generation.
It reminded me that sometimes that best way to connect is just to listen.
More tomorrow,
Jamie
The Promise 365 