“Nice to meet you.”
“My pleasure.”

Meeting people is always a pleasure, isn’t it? The standard courteous response would imply so. Assume for just a second that this were the case. That the initial meeting is really and truly a pleasure.

It’s in the getting to know and knowing of many of these new acquaintances where the pleasure unravels. The idiosyncrasies that chafe our pet peeves. The arrogance or the lack of confidence. The political views, religious views, or complete apathy. And the sheer incompatibility of interests.

But then there are a few, very few, whom knowing is sheer and unabashed pleasure. And not because (indeed probably rarely because) there is romantic interest, but because time spent interacting with them is simply synonymous with joyful experiences.

To one whom I find it is truly a pleasure knowing: St. Santiago

As of tomorrow, you will have been on this planet for 23 years. I have had the pleasure of knowing you for just over 4 of those years. In honor of this, a tribute to you via your own expressions of self (you did such a good job with it, I couldn’t help but steal). Happy Birthday!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDS_gSqwjXQ&rel=1]