Some People Just Get Relationships.
I flew to Omaha Monday to give a Web 2.0 presentation. The invitation to do so was extended by Nate Dodge and Mike Riedmann of NP Dodge Real Estate. They are tremendous hosts and organized a great showing at the Omaha Marriott. After the presentation, I went back to their main office to meet with their residential real estate management team, including Jodee Drake-Soto and Robert Wiebusch.
When I walked into the conference room, there was an NP Dodge backpack sitting on one of the chairs. Mike said it was for me, "just a thank you," he said. I unzipped the top and couldn't believe what I saw.
I Saw A Packet Of Little Girl's Underwear
I didn't go any further. I couldn't. I was so moved by the thought that went into the gift, that my throat began to swell and my eyes began to water. I'm usually not at a loss for words, but at that moment I feared that opening my mouth would also open up the flood gates.
Why? Because the only way they could have known to put children's underwear in that backpack was if they had been reading my wife's Mothers Fighting For Others blog. They knew my wife was going to Africa in 10 days and they also knew she had started an Underwear For Africa drive.
The orphanage my wife, Rocky, is going to work in identified underwear as their greatest need and Rocky later found clean underwear is a major need in Africa. So, Underwear For Africa was born. Jodee was the one who got the task of shopping for the underwear. I could tell by the look on her face, she enjoyed it, even if Robert Weibusch had teased her about ditching work to go underwear shopping.
They knew, without ever asking me, what was going to bring me the most joy.
The web made it possible. The irony in that is killing me. But their desire to build a lasting relationship is what made it happen. I meet lots of great people as I travel around the country, but the team at NP Dodge completely blew me away with their care and kindness. When I got home, I learned there were lots of pairs of underwear in the bag. I wasn't surprised.
NP Dodge Gets Relationships
Nate, Mike, Robert, Jodee and everyone on the NP Dodge team... from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
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Jeff,
It's nice of those people to do what they did, but you and your wife Deserve credit as well, for doing something Very, Very, Nice!!
Great Job!!
Tom Weiss