Unfortunately, saying thank you seems to be an afterthought more and more. So at least once a month, I will take a few minutes to publicly appreciate someone that has had an impact on me.
This round: Agile 2025 (Connection Part)
As Chris Murman highlighted, this event was all about the people for me.
I met new people:
- Some that I basically took over their table and then luckily was able to invite them into the madness. Thanks David (last name removed as I haven’t been given permission or experience with me naming people)! I hope you had a wonderful time and look forward to seeing you again.
- Some that followed behind me in a bathroom. Whilst I was in the stall, complimenting me on my talk. Can’t name the person – never saw their face. A first but one that is memorable regardless. Thank you!
- Some that I was able to help pick sessions and then later got up on that stage with me. Thank you Chevelle – you did amazing, and it was a joy to meet you!
I honored various groups of people:
- This was the first time that a spontaneous request for current and former board members photo at the conference party. I don’t think we got everyone – I know there were others too that maybe were not at the party. Makes me think we should be doing this formally. Cause when I look at that photo, I think about the passion of the people and all the memories. I even smile knowing that Craig Smith flew all the way here primarily to support me and my heart is just full.
- This was also the first time that I was part of an impromptu group photo of past conference chairs. There are not many of us that have had the honor of this role, and we share spoken and unspoken history and experiences. It was an honor to stand amongst them.
- There was also a private moment for people that often interact with the Elastic team that has done so much for our event over the years. They truly helped keep me sane in 2017. To be able to toast them, thank them and honor them…collectively was a moment that I think was as special for all of us as it was for them.
I got quality time with my peeps. Now at the risk of not mentioning someone, I’m not trying to create an exhaustive list here. What I am going to focus on are little moments that demonstrate the deep lasting connections that this community fosters:
- Bursting into tears as Eval Silvera comes into my sight at the welcome reception. Back in ~2014ish, he was the first person to share with me the lasting impact my session had on him. He’s been unable to get rid of me since, but I didn’t know he was going to be there. The moment I saw him, I knew instantly how important it was for me to have him there for this keynote.
- Being able to help my friend, Tobey by creating a temporary distraction so they could focus. Tobey, you have helped me so many times, I will continue to be there for anything you need.
- A big thanks to Jake, Nicole and Todd for recording parts of my keynote (as I requested and forgot to tell the volunteers, sorry). I so appreciate you!
- Ronica Roth asking, “Can you believe it’s been 18 years? And we are still hanging strong?” in the lobby bar while I was contemplating how soon I could go to bed
- Getting to thank Mitch Lacey for opening doors for me and putting me as a track chair with Bob Sarni.
- Sharing about two clickers for a presentation discovered by Marie Dingess but this was so huge it’s getting a whole separate blog post!
- Waking up to messages from all over the world with encouragement, love and support before and then again after my keynote. You may not have been physically at Agile 2025, but you most certainly were there with me.
- Being invited to a dinner party hosted by Llewellyn Falco that presented an opportunity for April Jefferson and myself to whoop him in Euchre. Not mentioning his partner…just him
- Asking Reese Schmit to not read some boring resume type bio introduction for me as the keynote. What she expressed is now my new bio.
- Toasting Dave Prior and Stuart Young’s new book. Congrats!
- Being able to text the “I probably shouldn’t say this…” to CP Richardson, only for my phone to light up at the exact same time with basically the same sentiment.
- Nicole Smith bringing me under eye mask patches for our morning at the lazy river.
- Watching two first time attendees get excited to see Jenny Tarwater at the bar (highlighting the awesomeness of her session), then excited to notice me (both of us at the bar should be shocking to no one), then notice Jon Kern (need I say anything) and immediately request a photo with him. It had us all laughing but I think this is one of the coolest parts of our community. The accessibility to people for all sorts of conversations. I went to a different conference recently and was quickly informed that was not a thing there. So, I appreciated it even more this week.
- Reminiscing with Laura Powers about walking on that stage in 2017 with a cape and tiara.
- There is a moment that I cherish when Christina Hartikainen’s daughter wanted to meet Linda Rising. I still have that photo. Fast forward, where Emilia Breton-Lake’s daughter, Mimi wanted to meet me. She shared her passion, tips and excitement and I loved every minute of our interaction. I asked to take a photo and now I have two of these moments that I will cherish.
- Making sure there was bacon and champagne sitting at my table for after my keynote. I found it very rude to tempt me with both beforehand and I couldn’t have any. Both hit the spot after
- Oladoyin Dayo Adelowotan & Dustin Thostenson for taking fabulous pictures – you both could have a second career. Thank you so much!!!
- Being able to listen (even if not long enough) as people (not listing names for privacy but you know who you are) shared their thoughts, challenges and hopes. Sometimes next to the pool, sometimes under a very aggressive waterfall lazy river, sometimes in a corner of the venue, and sometimes as we walked the halls.
- And last but never least, Christina Hartikainen. Someone (cough, CP) tried to play a game of who knows Tricia best… it wasn’t even a contest. You know how much I heart you!
And there were so many more, but I shared these moments to highlight the connection in our community. My resilience has been built on these types of moments and whether it’s a long held connection or a newly formed connection, they are what fuels me. Thank you!
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