My husband and I were recently fortunate enough to go on a weeklong Caribbean cruise with a large group of “his” people. His friends are real estate friends — the type of people you want in your corner if you are negotiating a complex mortgage or tricky land contract.
Also, quite unexpectedly, the type of people who’ll have your back in Bartending 101.
We went on this same cruise last year, and he learned a lot about hard money lending, notes and other such concepts that make my brain spin. While he and his investment group pals could talk business until, literally, the wee hours of the morning, I was more interested in looking for the nearest glass of wine + hot tub.
At times, I felt under-educated — like there was something wrong with me for 1) not being interested in these concepts that were so clearly popular with the greater cruise mentality and 2) having absolutely no idea what they were talking about. But this year, I had an epiphany: If my husband were on a cruise with a bunch of writers who started talking about story arc and character development, he’d also be heading for the Lido Deck.
The blessing of this experience was in the amazing people with whom we got to share our vacation. Last year was about meeting other like-minded investors. This year was about making them friends and welcoming them into our lives.
I don’t know how many people we invited to come to our home this NFL season and share with us a game at Lambeau Field. But it is my deepest desire that at least some of them will say yes. And as we look ahead to future meetings of these great real estate minds, I know that I will have something to contribute — certainly not real estate expertise, but food, beverage and camaraderie.
Side note: If you ever get the opportunity to take the mixology course at the Bacardi Rum Factory in San Juan, Puerto Rico, DO IT!! We only mastered three drinks. But perfecting the craft of the world’s best mojito has changed my life.
While on the tour, one of our good friends from Florida was asked to give a toast — one that brought tears to my eyes. He said:
“There are big ships and small ships, and ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships. And may they always be.”
Cheers to another amazing Captains of the Deal cruise, and all the unforgettable friendships made along the way.