Two years ago I was approached by someone that told me they nominated me for the Greek America 40 Under 40 for the Class of 2020. I was taken aback. This was unexpected! Will I win? Why did this person even pick me!? Do I deserve this? I was excited and would check my email daily to see if I got picked, but then the world stopped. I was told to stand by, they will do something virtually for the winners if I’m chosen. Months passed as things were on hold. I spent the next 4 months in Greece. Came back to the US only to get hit with post travel depression. (It was bad) A friend named Kosta noticed and said “Hey let’s take a trip to Florida.” I didn’t hesitate. I said let’s go! It was my first time to Florida. We stopped in Tarpon Springs first. On Dec 9th, 2020 by some crazy chance I met Maria (I didn’t know her before), she’s the one you see in all my posts as @thenerdygreek. I remember that day like yesterday. Pure joy. I knew something special was about to begin, whether she knew it or not. 😅 The next day, Dec 10th, I got the awaited email. “You‘ve been selected as Greek Americas Forty Under 40.” Wow. Later that night, I got to see Maria again. I didn’t say anything about it to her, that would be heavy to lead with. Considering I was on a high, what I SHOULD have told her is that I liked her, but I didn’t, it took me 3 more days.😅🤣😂 We took a walk after dinner and I did something weird, I saw a tree decorated in Kalymnian sponges, I asked her if we can take a pic together with it since I’m Kalymnian. She thought it was a weird ask, but took it. I’ll never forget those 24 hours. Meeting Maria and getting this nod. Thank you to the man that nominated me. Thanks for noticing me. I’m indebted, sir! I’m also the director of the Teddy K Classic, a scholarship fundraising basketball tournament for Greek Americans in memory of my dad. I’ve handed out 40+ scholarships so far. The first scholarship was handed out in 2009 to a young man named Kosta. Thank you Kosta for taking me to Florida, I needed it. (Crazy how that works huh?) Lastly, that picture with the sponge tree... Maria framed it, it hangs in my bedroom. 😀 Oh, follow her, she’s next. Επιτρέπεται.