Let me tell you the story of my friend Jane. At the start of the year 2000, I finished my Master's Degree at Boston University and, although I knew I would move back to Panama eventually, I decided to stay in Boston and work for a while. I worked a temporary job at Shepley Bulfinch in their marketing department which was great fun. After that, I got a job at The Forum Corporation. The team I worked with was amazing, such smart people...good at what they did...and they were fun to boot. I fondly remember Louise Axon, Kerry Minior, David Carder...but most of all I remember Jane Harris. Jane lived in Vancouver and did a lot of work for Forum. I was assigned to work with her on a project she was leading. We spoke a lot on the phone and worked through email mostly. I started to call her my captain and would usually start my emails with the phrase, "Oh Captain, my Captain." For some reason, although we only worked together for a short time and despite the age difference, Jane and I clicked. While working at Forum, I only saw her in person once on a trip she made to Boston. I moved to Panama and corresponded with Jane via email very infrequently. Then, three years ago, Jane wrote to tell me she and her husband Tom were travelling to Panama and would we like to get together. I couldn't believe I would actually get to see my fleeting friend again! We spent an unforgettable day together in Cermeño and it felt so good to be able to connect again with my old friend, my captain, if only for one day. Jane and Tom were in Panama with another couple and when we got together, Jane told me that her friends were amazed and thought it was so funny that Jane was in Panama visiting someone she had met five years ago, worked with for two months, and had only seen once! It was pretty funny and we made it the joke of the day.
A few weeks ago, Jane wrote me to say she would be coming to Panama again. I was so happy and we immediately made plans to have dinner. We met at La Jarana last night and Jane brought along her friends Mary and Goldie. Turns out Mary used to work at Forum too! So funny. We clicked with Mary and Goldie right away (any friend of Jane's is a friend of mine!) and we had a wonderful time. You know you have a special friendship when even if you rarely speak to, write to, or see each other...when you do it's as if you had seen each other yesterday. That's what our friendship is like, and I'm so lucky that we crossed paths those years ago. Come back soon Jane! 
Note: Mary and Goldie are looking for dog lovers that would like to take care of their cocker spaniel when they travel or go away on weekends. They live in Casco Viejo and offer their home and compensation for the caregiver. Email me if you're interested!
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