As the warm hues of Thanksgiving season envelop us, I find myself reflecting on the myriad of blessings and memories BBO has brought into my life. We gather around tables, give thanks for our families, our health, and the opportunities that grace our days. But for me, a significant part of my gratitude is reserved for the world of BBO, our very own sanctuary of friendships, memories, and brilliant moments.

Over the past two decades, BBO has been more than just a virtual platform. It’s been a community, a family, a bridge (pun intended) connecting us to parts of the world and souls we might never have known otherwise.

One of my earliest special meetings was with Daddad (Marc Rousseau Sr.). At 98, he brought wisdom and humor to our online bridge games. His touching final interview is a memory I cherish, showing a life full of meaning. His legacy lives on every time I warmly greet his son, Marc Jr (MWRMWR).

BBO has also brought unexpected and delightful experiences. I met online a shaman who asked me, non-ironically, “Is it okay to use information from reading your opponents’ minds in bridge?” I also interviewed a nuclear physics professor who explained how, at subatomic level, physics essentially becomes magic. These brief encounters have added a special touch to our shared journey.

Then there was Roman L. Weil, or as I knew him, roman99. A respected economics professor, we started talking when I boldly corrected a bridge hand story he sent me. This small interaction morphed into deep conversations and book recommendations. The book he suggested last time we talked, “Nudge”, now rests on my bedside table, a bittersweet reminder of the brilliant mind we lost too soon after our paths crossed.

My heart fills with joy when I hear about BBO couples getting married. Love stories that started online and spanned the globe, turning into beautiful partnerships. It’s incredible to have seen so many of these love stories.

And we can’t forget the thrilling games with top-class players. Playing with them seemed impossible in real life, but on BBO, it’s a daily experience.

However, if there’s one thing that has magnified BBO’s significance, it’s the solace it provided to so many during the challenging pandemic era. For numerous players, BBO was more than a game—it was a lifeline, a community that held them close when the world seemed to be falling apart.

So this Thanksgiving, as we count our blessings, let’s raise a toast to BBO, to every friend we’ve made, every hand we’ve played, and every extraordinary memory. As we recount these stories of gratitude, we invite the entire community to join in. Tell us about your memorable hands, unexpected friendships, and the love stories that started in the world of BBO. What moments have brightened your days? What are you thankful for in this wonderful world of online bridge?

Let’s make this Thanksgiving special by telling our bridge tales together. With heartfelt thanks and looking forward to your stories,

diana_eva 🍁🦃🧡