An Unexpected Valentine

My oldest daughter Jacki and I worked the Working Women's Survival Show in St. Louis last weekend.
As I entered the Convention Center on Friday morning to check in for my speaking engagement, I encountered Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff. I immediately recognized him from the time I watched him perform in Las Vegas 23 years ago!
I introduced myself to him and we talked about humor; the topic that we are both experts on.
Yakov reached on the counter in the office for a show program and he circled the times that I was speaking and we said our "See you later's"; excited at the obvious feeling of synergy.
Later that afternoon I began my presentation, the door creaked open slowly as to not disturb the flow, and in walked Yakov. My newest best friend!
During the course of the speech Yakov and I bantered back and forth; the audience seemed to eat it up. There was something good happening here. This was good entertainment.
The next day Yakov invited Jacki and I to join him and his very charming 18-year-old daugher, Natasha, to join them for a Valentine's Day dinner and the theater.
What an unexpected treat. We encountered a man that the world perceives as merely a comedian, but is so much more than that.
Working with - and coaching - artists, I have found that many times (more times than not), there is so much ego involved that it blocks out any chance to get to know the person under the narcissism.
Jacki and I were blessed to enjoy an evening with one of the most considerate, well-mannered men I have ever encountered; a man who is well-known, yet does not use his bragging rights to pump up his own ego; a man that exudes love and a big heart. A man who teaches about laughter and love - and lives his talk.
What an unexpected treat this Valentine's Day turned out to be!
Ah! What a country!