May ended with a visit from my brother Pat, his wife Jenny, and our 18-year old nieces, Molly and Lydia. Here the girls enjoy mocktails in a heavenly outdoor setting at Public by Jean-Georges. They reported to their grandparents that it was the best restaurant they’d ever been to. What lovely guests they were!
After our return from Italy we had one quick week at home before heading to Boston (Cambridge, really) for our 30th class reunion from graduate school at the Harvard Kennedy School. We had a great time seeing around 40 of our classmates — a pretty good showing 30 years out. And I will personally take some responsibility for that good showing because I got involved and really worked the Facebook messages, email prods, and text messages to help drive the crowd.
I also worked with two of my classmates, Jenny Spalding and Dara Menashi, to organize a couple events: a Friday open house at Dara’s house in Brookline and a Saturday evening reception at a restaurant in Cambridge. Because these events were organized by us (instead of the school) they were by far the most fun events of the weekend!
Because the reunion fell just a few days before my birthday, Jim suggested it made no sense to go straight home. So instead we caught a flight to Miami Beach to spend the birthday week in one of our favorite happy places. We’ll let the pictures tell the rest.
In early May we had a visit from my former business partner Nathaniel as he was passing through the city going from DC to Vermont. At the last minute he discovered that his sister Eve just happened to be passing through at the same time. Since we all hiked the Inca Trail together some years ago, it was a really fun reunion.
Jim with Dara in the Kennedy School courtyard at the reunion
Out for a walk along the Charles river with Keith
Jim with Keith and Deborah at an opening night reception at Dara’s house in Brookline
Over the last 30 years I’ve only seen Joan at class reunions. Every time I swear we are going to do better because she is so much fun!
Catching up with Jon and Dara. At the Kennedy School, Jon and I shared the distinction of being the only two graduates of the University of Michigan in our class.
At our Saturday evening reception I had a blast catching up with Deborah and Shari
Outside the busy reunion activities, we did squeeze in time for a wonderful dinner at our old neighbors’ place. So here we are with Ann and Bart and Wil (the tall one who gets taller every time we see him).
As if the reunion weekend did not have enough fun packed into it, we just happened to run into my graduate school landlord, Steve Nil. It was wonderful to catch up with Steve!
Following all the reunion activities it was nice to land in Miami Beach for a bit of relaxation
For my birthday celebration we spent a fun evening with a friend and roommate from U of M, Allan Kleer, who lives in Miami Beach
And even better, we met Allan’s partner Mauricio for the first time. He is an artist, a former model, and a super interesting guy.
I love the colors of everything in Miami Beach — the sky, the sea, the greenery, and especially the iconic lifeguard stations
And yes, we did have a few days here and there in New York in all its glory this month
Art on the High Line in New York
More culture — at the beautiful Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit at the Brant Foundation, which happens to be six blocks from our apartment
Jim’s brother Albert suggested that we meet Kasey Altman, whose father is a coworker of his in San Diego. For some reason we assumed Kasey was a guy, but he turned out to be the most delightful young woman, who shares our passion for travel and adventure.
I love to discover idyllic little reading spots around the city
A very busy May ended on a high note with the visit from Pat, Jenny, Molly, and Lydia
I love living vicariously through you two…you have the most interesting lives!! And I like the silver couch too!