#66 Suzy S

Suzy Seminack was one of my skating coaches. She was an Olympic ice dancer with Scott Gregory. She had a very big personality. She was a fun coach and was always at our house. She became part of our family. Her mom Rose was a wonderful woman and very creative. She made my ice skating costumes when I was coached my Suzy. Sadly Rose passed away due to diabetes. Suzy moved to Pittsburgh and I lost contact with her shortly after that, I started taking from Maria Lako after Suzy. I did see her at some competitions and she was still that same Suzy! I am not sure where she is now or what she is doing, but I am pretty sure she still has that bigger than her personality!

#65 Chris C

Chris is my cousin Brooke's husband. He is such a great guy! He is also a fantastic father and husband. Chris and Brooke have 4 boys - thats right 4! When Brooke was in the hospital pregnant with the twins, Chris create a blog for all of us to have updates on their expanding family. They still update the blog now that the twins have joined the family. I read recently Chris mowed a baseball diamond in the back yard for the kids to play on, how great is that!?! I still remember Chris and Brooke's wedding and what fun it was! I took this picture from their blog!

# 63 Jimmy B

Jimmy was a neighbor the summer of 2003, him and his friends live in the pink house. Great kid and hilarious! Jimmy and his friends had just graduated from Sallies they were spending their summer before college in Dewey! Like I have said in past posts I met some really great people that summer and Jimmy was no exception! I see him from time to time when I head back east, its always fun to catch up with him!

#62 Stefan E

I was pretty lucky to meet some famous athletes and one of them is tennis legend Stefan Edberg. I was a little in disbelief when I met him. He was at the practice courts for the Philadelphia tournament and I was a ball girl. My friend Michelle and I were snooping around where we shouldn't have been, but hey how is a girl suppose to meet these tennis players without sneaking around, and there he was! I immediately ran and got my camera and my mom. After I found a way to speak again I told him what a big fan I was and ask for a picture. He was so very nice and said sure! I should mention that my sister LOVED him as well, so that picture of him and I is priceless! After the picture, he said "see you out on the court." He was one of the nicest tennis players on the court, when I would hand him his towel or water, he was one of the only players that would say thank you!

#61 Therese R

Therese is my very good childhood friend Chris' wife. They were high school sweethearts. She has to be one of the nicest people I know. I remember when she and Chris first started dating, you could tell that they just clicked! Therese and I spent a good amount of time together senior year, she was dating Chris and I was dating Vinnie, who happened to be Chris's cousin. I still remember the guys senior prom, she and I were the only senior girls in that limo - we just laughed and joked about it! Her and Chris are perfect for each other, they fit! I can still remember where I was when Chris called to tell me that he and Therese were engaged, I could not have been happier for them both. So when people say that high school "romance" doesn't last, well they are proof that it does!

#60 Tara L

Yes I knew Tara Lipinksi and way before her Olympic gold medal days. She and I shared a coach, Jeff D. I wouldn't exactly say we were "friends" but we knew each other well and were always at the rink together. She had a different skating life than I did and by that I mean skating was her life and clearly that paid off for her. I still went to school and she was home schooled at the rink like some of the other skaters. I still remember us being at a competition in NYC, it was the one where the rink was at the top of a building. We got in some trouble with Jeff that weekend. Instead of warming up and stretching we were playing video games, well Jeff didn't take this well and we ended up running off our "punishment". My other Tara story is that I beat her, yes once and yes we were much younger but I can still say that I beat the Olympic Gold Medalist!

#59 Sarah D

Sarah was one of my grade school best friends. For a small all girls school we were quite "clicky" and our little group was no exception! We sat next to each other in a few of our classes and "helped" each other during some tests! Lots of weekends and summers during grade school were spent with those girls at birthday parties, the pool or at volleyball camp. After 8th grade, I stayed at Ursuline and Sarah went on to St. Marks. And like most friendships during that time, it faded away. Its been years since I saw her, probably since we graduated high school, but I have some great memories of Sarah.

#58 Michelle B

Michelle was a summer of 2003 friend! She was also a co-worker for a month or so at that place called Joe's Crab Shack! She always made you laugh, always! And if there was trouble to be had at work, she no doubt would be part of it! It made some days at work bearable with her there! I was looking back at some of the pictures from that summer and we had some great times!

#57 Matt L

Matt was a friend from Virginia Wesleyan but he was also from Delaware. He was a couple years ahead of me in school but I knew who he was from back in high school. As I have said in previous posts, VWC was a smaller college so you got to know many people throughout the campus especially those on other sports teams. Matt was on the soccer team. I know its hard to imagine me being shy, but around him I was! I just thought he was so good-looking. We ended up hanging out the summer of my first year. When I moved back to Delaware I ran into him quite a bit. I saw him just before I left for California and have recently caught up with him on facebook. He is now married with an adorable baby! When I think back on my days at VWC I have some great memories with Matt apart of them!

#56 Mrs. Frye

Mrs. Frye was my 5th grade teacher. Everyone has one of those teachers that influences you for the better. Mrs. Frye was that for me. I was never big on school but I loved her classes, she made learning fun. I stayed in touch with her throughout my years at Ursuline until I graduated. I recently got back in touch with her and I got an email from her not too long ago and she said something really nice:

Thank so much for calling me your favorite teacher – that means so much to me. I figure we plug along here hoping to do our best for everyone who comes through, and every now and then it works. I loved having you in class and you just made me happy all the time. There are about ten people over the history of my teaching that have made an indelible mark in my memory (for the good), and you’re one of them. Do you believe I’ve been here at UA for 28 years?

I hope that her students know lucky they are to have her as a teacher. I look forward to seeing Mrs. Frye again on my next trip back to Delaware!

#55 Billy W

Billy is my cousin Laura's husband, Ben and Ashley's dad. Billy is your good ol' southern boy! Christmas's and summers were spent with the Williams at the cottage or at Sally & Ray's house in Delaware. We have moved Christmas to Laura and Billy's house in Montgomery, Al. Billy and my sister have a long standing rivalry for Auburn/Alabama football games. It is quite comical. I really looked forward to 2 times a year, once is Christmas and the other is our summer trip to the cottage. Billy is at both and it would not be the same without him. Billy has a contagious laugh and great talent for Backgammon! When you can't find Billy or Shannon, just follow the sounds of dice and clincking of checkers! Billy walked my sister down the aisle at her wedding, needless to say their were tears coming from my family members and anyone who knows my family history. I love watching Laura and Billy together, you can not only see their love for each other but you can feel it as well. I hope that I am lucky enough to find such a great man as Billy. As always, I am looking forward to this years summer trip!

#54 Danielle B

Danielle Bukowski was a co-worker from Iron Hill Wilmington. One of my favorite stories about Danielle is when she started at IH. She was scheduled as my trainee one night and I was the closing server in the dining room. We were just about done when a huge group of women came in and sat in the dining room that was so close to being closed. It was just the 2 of us and I kind of threw her to the wolves so to speak considering she had just started training. We got slammed but she held her own and did a great job! The best part was that the group ended up being from the Gay and Lesbian group in Delaware. One of the woman totally caught Danielle off guard and hit on here. It was too funny! Danielle worked for IH for a while and fell in love with one of our Chefs and my friend, Aaron. The recently got married and are still living back east with their puppies! I usually see them when I head back east and look forward to catching up with her and Aaron!

# 53 Mike M

Mike Mayo, Mr.Blue eyes from the Summer of 2003! I worked with Mike at Northbeach that summer. What a great summer it was, we all had a blast. By far it has to be one of the best summers, ever. I worked with some pretty cool people which made that summer so great, Mike was one of them. Not only did all of us work together but we also all went out together. I see Mayo when I get back to Dewey, he is now working at the Starboard and I am sure still charming the ladies!

#52 Sarah G

Sarah Gallagher is a friend from back in Delaware. I have known Sarah for a very very long time, since we were little. Her father worked at ABC with my dad. Sarah has to be one of the funniest people I know, which she gets from her father! Unfortunately she came out to visit a mutual friend not so long ago and I didn't get a chance to see her, which I could kick myself for but hopefully she will make another trip soon! Sarah worked with the Biden (yes the Vice President) campaign and after the campaign was over moved to Boston. Sarah seems to be doing very well and I wish her all the luck in her new adventures!

#51 Danielle S

Danielle Salley is David's sister (see #32). I spent a lot of summers with Danielle either in Pensacola, Duck or in Slidell. The Salley's were an extended part of our family. The one thing that stands out about Danielle is that she is an animal lover. All kinds of animals, she once owned goats....yes goats! Not to mention she has a beagle now, which in my book makes her pretty awesome! Its been a while since I last saw Danielle but we have caught up with, of course, facebook. She is living on the east coast in Richmond and seems to be doing really well. I cant wait to catch up with her again sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later, its been way too long!

# 50 Hugh Grant

Yes the actor Hugh Grant! I was visiting my sister in San Francisco, I was in my early teens. Shannon had an early class at the Fairmont gym location and I went along with her. Needless to say I am not a morning person. So I was just hanging outside the room where she was teaching and this random guy came up and said hello. He asked how my hot chocolate was and I answered, very short answers. He had walked away when I realized who HE was and it was Hugh Grant. Well I booked it down the hall towards the elevators and he stopped when he saw me and all I could say was "Hi" and waved. With a good laugh and smirk he said "good morning". He was staying at the Fairmont and if I remember correctly he was filming a movie in San Fran. So that is my run in with Mr. Hugh Grant!

#48 Tracy C

Tracy was one of my friends from the summer of 2003. She was an awesome girl and a lot of fun. We clicked as friends right off the bat. Tracy moved to So Cal to be with her boyfriend at the time, Gabe. We kept in touch and I got to visit her when I went out to Cali to visit my sister. Tracy and I always had a good time when we were together! She moved back to the east coast, then her and Gabe got married. Sadly we drifted apart over time and I have not seen her in many years. But I hear she has had a baby, a little baby boy. I am sure she is an amazing mother, its something that she was born to be!

#47 Laura S

Laura Steele was one of my ice skating coaches and she was also my last coach before I "retired" from skating. She was tough on me but not in a bad way. She expected 110% everyday. One of my favorite memories of Laura was when she was pregnant with her first daughter walking around the rink coaching. She was a very petite woman and it looked like she was going to topple over because of her belly. She wasn't my coach at the time, but I remember thinking what dedication it was to her students to still be coaching while so pregnant.
Laura became my coach years later and married a fellow skater, Jason Corley. Jason took me through my final pairs tests before I decided not to continue skating and Laura coached us. I enjoyed my time with Laura as my coach, I still remember when she sent me to Atlanta to work with the coach she had trained under. I came back understanding more about Laura as a coach and skater as well as knowing where she got her toughness from. When I made the decision not to skate anymore, telling her was by far the hardest thing I had to do, I just remember crying when I was trying to tell her. She Laura and Jason are still married and are coaching together at the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society. I definitely owe some of my competitive nature to Laura, thats for sure!

#46 Traci B

Traci is my brother in law Matt's sister. I first met Traci the week that I met Matt in San Francisco during my birthday back in 2001. Ironically, Traci and I have the same birthday. Traci is a great person and its been fun getting to know her over the years. Traci lives up in northern California and I usually see her when she comes down for Holidays. Its always fun spending time with her during those times, its a shame she doesn't live closer. I keep meaning to take visit up to see her. Traci recently started planning events for the company she has been working for, so it looks like we share a little more in common then our families and careers.

#45 Andy G

Andy is my friend Heather's husband. I met Andy while living in Virginia Beach and I was a bridesmaid in him and Heather's wedding. I knew when I saw him and Heather together that they would not only get married but be great together! Andy is a great guy, husband and father to 2, yes 2, set of twins. He is a lot of fun to be around. I haven't seen Andy in years but I keep in touch with Heather and they all seem to being doing well.

# 44 Lauren K

Lauren is my co-worker at Bayside, we work together during the days Tuesday through Friday. She has also become a great friend. Lauren trained me when I first started working at Bayside, she is the office manager and has been with the company for years. I have learned a lot from Lauren, especially that she really doesn't take any BS from anyone!
Lauren is a huge animal lover from horses to rabbits. I always tease her about not going to a shelter or any adopt an animal event, because if she could she would take them all home with her!
I am lucky to work with such a great person like Lauren!

#43 JB

I got really behind, so now I am playing catch up!

JB worked Scratch Magoo's in Wilmington, a place my friends and I use to frequent. JB was always so nice and a lot of fun to be around- and always was saved the day when some creep was bothering you (right Vikki!?!). When you work in the restaurant/bar buisness you get to know everyone. JB hands down was one of the nicest bartenders in Wilmington! I haven't seen JB in years, but I am sure he is still charming the ladies!