#best09: my passionate supporter
As part of the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge I’ll be blogging daily on the bests of 2009. 2010 For The Win!
{December 20 New person. She came into your life and turned it upside down. He went out of his way to provide incredible customer service. Who is your unsung hero of 2009?}
I’ve met some truly amazing and special people this year. You’ve seen many of them mentioned in these recaps, and it seems like each year, my awesome people radar gets better and better. And this year was no different.
However, one of these persons truly stood out to me as someone who has impacted my year, my career, and has been a constant source of support and encouragement.
I met Andrea White though Laura Mayes at the 2009 Mom 2.0 Summit in February. We had originally scheduled Mayor White to come to the conference and welcome the attendees to Houston. At the last minute, the Mayor was called to D.C. to meet with newly inaugurated President Obama, and his wife, Andrea, offered to stand in for him.
Andrea gracefully welcomed the attendees to our city, and shared her own stories of how she, as an author, creates worlds in her writing. A foreshadowing of what we’d be doing over the next few days at the conference.
After the conference, I began working with Andrea and Bill. At the time, I had yet to quit my full-time job, and was comtemplating starting my own company. Andrea was always there to encourage me. Recommending me to everyone she knew. I’ll never forget that. And her endorsements meant the world to me.
These days, I so look forward to our weekly meetings, when we catch up on each other’s lives, projects, and events. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know her children, all three a testament to Andrea’s kind and intelligent way. Andrea has served as a writing coach to me, listening to all my 13 wedding stories, and encouraging me to “write, write, write it down.” She’s always eager to learn about technology and social media, and is one of the smartest women I know.
I am lucky to call her my friend, as she has taught me what true passionate support looks like. I look forward to helping Bill and Andrea along on their journey next year as Bill seeks to serve our state at the next Governor of Texas.
Thank you, Andrea.
