I first met Debbie at her favorite dive bar in SF’s Inner Sunset district. This was about a week after she called me, asked if I was available to shoot her 50th birthday celebration, & said she had chosen me as her photographer, not because of my portfolio, but because of who I was as a person. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know what to say at that moment… I mean, how do you thank someone for giving you the ultimate compliment? If this wasn’t indication enough, I knew we would get along just by the fact that her favorite bar also welcomed dogs.

As we shared a drink, Debbie told me all about the awesome location of her party at Fort Mason: Museo Italo Americano. As an Italian American woman who loves baseball (Go Giants!), she knew it would be the perfect location. She went on to explain the delicious appetizers she had carefully chosen, and with every word, you could see just how excited she was to be celebrating a milestone birthday with her closest friends and family. When I asked her about the evening’s schedule, however, she looked puzzled & quickly noted that there would be no schedule. This event had only one goal: to celebrate, eat, drink & dance with all the special people in her life. And what a celebration it was…

Debbie, thank you again for choosing me to celebrate with you! I hope your 50th year brings you as much joy as your party did, if not more!

Happy Birthday!!

xoxo,
cristal veronica