It was our handshake that sparked this connection. You see, Pat Green did not let go of my hands once we shook. In fact, after about a minute, I didn’t want to let go. I could have held her hands even longer. No words were necessary in this instant. All of my grandparents have passed, and for a moment, I felt reconnected with all of them. Pat’s smile drew me over to her, as she stood with her daughter Holly and son-in-law Javier on Jefferson Ave, preparing to watch her first Mardi Gras parade ever.

I met Dorian on the St. Charles Ave. neutral ground on Fat Tuesday 2016. I recognized Dorian as a 610 Stomper, one of my favorite dance groups of Mardi Gras. I had to say hello. We shared a very brief connection and I asked to take a picture with my son, who was dressed up as Darth Vader. Dorian and I connected on Facebook, but I did not interact with him again until Mardi Gras 2017, when we crossed paths at the same exact spot as we did the previous year. I reconnected with Dorian and shared that I enjoy following his posts on Facebook and appreciate everything he does as a 610 Stomper. We shared another photo and went our separate ways.