Day 11 of Gratitude - Steve Vorderman

31 Days of Gratitude - In an attempt to publicly express my gratitude for the people that have impacted me in some way in 2015, I'm setting out to write one post a day sharing what I appreciate about them or what moment that marked me. Some of these people I know well, some I've only met, and some I'm just getting to know. There is no ranking to these posts and they aren't meant to put anyone on a pedestal. They, like you and I, are imperfect people with their own flaws, some you may have experienced. Despite those flaws, I believe we all need to have our positive characteristics called into light and celebrated. This is that attempt. 

Steve and I's connection to one another is relatively new to this year. Before running NeighborLink, I was in advertising and I had known of Steve because he's a commercial photographer and had a great reputation. I wasn't to work with him, but he was the kind of creative that I would be curious about the type of work he was doing. We also have quite a few mutual friends in both the creative industry as well as the cycling community in Fort Wayne. Steve is an avid cyclist and drags me around from time to time on the road and the cyclocross bike. I've really enjoyed getting to know Steve even better in recent months and look forward to our friendship growing. 

In just a few months, Steve has marked me in several ways. Are you friends with or know someone that is influential, well-connected, and one of the most generous people when it comes to making the people around them seem far more important than they are? Steve is a very personable guy and well loved by many. Every time I'm out with Steve, he makes it a point to introduce me to everyone he knows and to tell them something significant about me personally, the work I'm doing with NL, or just something personal. It always makes me feel valued as an individual. It's brilliant and something I'm now trying to do myself because I think it's a significant thing to do, and rarely done. Thanks for making me feel a part of your life and important around your friends, even when we don't really know each other. 

I'm also grateful for how generous you've been to me and to NeighborLink by offering your photographic talents to helping us tell our story. Not only have you been willing to do the work, you're interested in the work, the stories of those we're working with, and how you can get more involved. I end up working with a lot of creatives and rarely do people offer what they have so generously without a bunch of parameters or limitations. I'm sure many others have felt this same kind of grace from you and tells me a lot about your character. 

I look forward to our friendship continuing to grow and for us to collaborate on even more stories. Continue to love others with your generous spirit and I'm confident that everything else will work out for the good for you and your family. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two about photography from you. 

Thanks for being willing to wear so much blue and houndstooth with the rest of us Team NL cyclists.