I had dinner with Naomi because she wanted to catch up in person rather than spending time emailing back and forth. It almost didn't happen, but we did connect and went to The Counter in Santana Row, where you "build" your own burger (or salad). Naomi mentioned that it wasn't really explicit how Linda and I met. Someone must have mentioned something on May 18th at the celebration of Linda's life, which prompted Naomi to ask.
Some of you may know. Others may not. Feel free to move on if you are in the former category.
Linda and I were part of the truly modern generation of couples: we met online, on a listserv for Jewish women (who identify as lesbian or bisexual). Though I didn't identify myself as such at the time (but if I didn't, then what was I doing on that list?) Oh well. It was a long time ago and I was a baby-not-realizing-I-was-dyke.
We marked July 11, 1999 as one of our many anniversaries. This was the day we first really connected, after having watched each other's posts on the list and remarking "here is someone who really cares about the use of words and takes care with the English language." We IM'd back and forth, and Linda asked if she could call me because she couldn't type fast enough. So she did.
Because I had plans to attend a Jewish study retreat at UC Santa Cruz (go Slugs!) later in July, Linda didn't actually visit for the first time until August 18, my parents' anniversary and 3 days before her birthday (LBK821...see it's her birthday, August 21). In the 9 months that followed, Linda came to California 9 times, and I flew to Ohio and once to NY a total of 6 visits. Between flights, phone calls, IMs, and being together, it is amazing that anything else got done.
In May 2000, Linda moved to California to become Executive Director at the synagogue where I still work. Actually, I had been a volunteer, but when I got divorced officially, I needed a job, so Linda hired me on staff.
That's the short version. For those of you who knew and those who now know.
Any questions?
