Partners in Crime. (Sort of.)

"It's friendship, friendship, 
Just a perfect blendship, 
When other friendships have ceased to jell 
Ours will still be swell!"

When you leave your home each day, if you work in an office that is, there are many consistencies that greet you when you arrive. For the past year or so, I have been fortunate to have a "partner" who really defines the term. She is someone I trust, respect, and most of all—know can help move our business forward. If you have worked in an environment where there is little or no trust, camaraderie, and/or caring on behalf of those you work with—you understand the value of a good "teammate."

When I first met Melissa, I was a little unsure if the sincerity was real. She is so damn nice, and went out of her way to help where she could; I refused to let my guard down based upon passed experiences. That lasted less than 24 hours. She is the real deal. Scary.

Together she introduced me to the people in the entire office (she knows them all) and then introduced me to her family. One husband (good thing it's only one, as it's illegal to have two) one adorable child, and a deep and abiding love for both of them. 

Ok, enough of the praise. 

Over the past year, both myself and our assistant Nick, knew there was one thing Jim (her husband), Eli (her son), as well as Melissa wanted in 2014. They wanted another child. As a Dad of six, my days are long past these desires, but knowing what she went through to make this happen, it is a miracle of modern medicine. (She is due at the end of December—-she will get her gift in 2014.) 

In the business world we work with many people; so much has changed in the decades I have been in advertising. When I first started there were mostly men who were selling, and gradually more and more women have made this actually more of a female dominated business. I am fairly certain in the beginning the word "respect" was not attached to anyone but men who were smoking, drinking, and other stuff known thanks to AMC as the days of "Mad Men." Those days are long past—a very good thing as the only activity I saw early on were livers being worked to the max over lunch and productivity over with by 2PM.

Melissa and I have had the opportunity to discuss situations in business that have opened my eyes—I really didn't think that was possible after all this time. I have seen her very sweet demeanor become much "de-meaner" to those who are being very rude and difficult to deal with. Not often, but a few weeks ago one of my other associates asked me to come into her office and asked, "Wow, I have never seen her like that, what happened?" My response…"She's pissed."

The photo above was taken last summer right after we began working together. She asked, I offered, if I would take photos of her family around Chicago.? Together, they posed on a cow located off Michigan Avenue—it was only fitting that this is probably not 100% legal, but then again, we're partners in crime. (Sort. Of.)

Thanks for stopping by.