I remember so well all the times Steven and I spent together... when I was little, he wouldn't mind a bit that I would chat to him while he was having a pee :) And when we went out exploring on family trips, he'd always take me up to the precipices, where I'd never be allowed to go otherwise! We'd look across the canyon from some slippery, rocky vantage point... I remember when we found some sort of small broadcasting installation at the top of one. I discovered much of the world with Steven... he showed me how to use my SLR camera on manual, how to tie my hiking boot laces so they wouldn't undo, and how to make a perfect cheese-cream sauce. And I wouldn't have the same appreciation for a single malt scotch without Steven! Nor for Belgian beer. Nor would I know that in a perfect pint of Guinness, one can draw a figure with a pretzel in the top, and find that drawing at the bottom of the glass when one finishes. And I credit much of my business success to Steven for introducing me to a few folks, and for all the advice he provided on many late evenings we spent together in Paris. It was such a privilege to share as much time as I did with him, and I miss him more than I can say.
I have fond memories of celebrating my 25th birthday with Steven in Paris. It was actually the day after my birthday, which I spent alone in my apartment in Grenoble... that was the day I looked up on the web how to open a champagne bottle, having never done so before! The next day, I hopped on a train to Paris (partially-sipped-at champagne bottle in hand), and headed over to Steven's.
It still makes me smile to think about... how enthusiastic Steven was at the thought of helping me finish my half-flat bottle of re-corked champagne! We went down to the garage, where a number of boxes were still in and around his Volvo... these were as-yet-unpacked moving boxes from his prior move, though I think he'd had his new apartment at least a year :) Steven knew just the box though, and carefully unwrapped two champagne glasses! After which we would have settled into philosophical discussion on one topic or another, and generally sorted the world out. I'll always remember that day with Steven, the highlight of my 25th birthday.