So, when I try to write a thank you note to Bill Nesper, memories rush in and I am overwhelmed with happiness, humor and thanks. From his logo and motto at our first retreat (“Depend-A-Bill”) to his support when I was a new and VERY eager-to-impress communications director at the League (Bill pulled me aside and gave me a gentle SLOW DOWN talk), he’s been a stalwart friend and dependable ally.

For his 10th anniversary with the League, some old colleagues made him a tribute video (check it out: http://vimeo.com/m/46197300) and bought him a bike — it was an awesome celebration of all he has done for bicycling. But when I think about Bill, I think most about his kindness, and his loyalty to the Florida Gators.

My husband bleeds orange and blue — not literally, but really, really close. He grew up in Gainesville, his father attended the school and taught there for decades, his mother worked at the library for decades, all THREE of his older brothers went there, and Jason graduated from there, and worked there, too. So, in DC Jason was very happy to be near Congress and politics, but missed the Gators. Enter: Bill and his wife, Mary.

Jason and Baby Oliver, Bill and Timothy, long, long, long ago. (One of my favorite photos)

Both native Floridians and Gators themselves, they came over when Jason and I were first dating to watch a Gator game at Jason’s house. Jason, ever the amazing host and chef, made homemade wings and blue cheese sauce, as well as other treats. We all served ourselves and sat down to watch the game, when Jason started gasping for air and turned purple. We sussed out, from his gasps in between crying and trying to catch his breath, that the wings were ‘a little spicy.’ Bill and Mary both gamely ate them, all of us appreciating Jason while using extra cheese sauce to cut the spice.

Bill and Mary’s first child, Timothy, is about 8 months younger than Oliver, and they came over when Oliver was a wee baby to talk to us about how it was going. Bill said something like, “oh, we know we’re going to be tired, what else should we expect?” In our collective memory, my mild-mannered and wonderful husband actually grabbed Bill’s shirt front (gently) and said: “You have NO IDEA how tired you will be.”

Bill’s Gator enthusiasm, personal cheerleading for me, professional support of my career and thoughtful work ethic and spiritual curiosity made him an excellent colleague, a respected partner-in-crime, and a great friend all these years. Thank you, Bill, for being awesome, and for surviving hot wings and strong exclamations.