A Quarter Century

Twenty-five years ago today, the Gotham Gal and I were married. It was a hot humid day in Washington DC. The wedding ceremony, indoors thankfully, occurred during a loud thunderstorm. At the end, I missed the attempt to break the glass by making a glancing blow. My best man John made a kick save, passed the glass back to me, and I shattered it on the second try. By the time the reception was on, a rainbow came out and we had a lovely evening. It was quite a party.

Twenty-five years later, we find ourselves in Copenhagen on a family vacation. It has been a great twenty-five years and we are looking forward to the next twenty-five.

Thanks to everyone in the AVC community for the most excellent anniversary video. In watching it, we are reminded how global this community is, and how lucky we are to have all of you as friends and well wishers. Thank you.

#Random Posts

Comments (Archived):

  1. David NoΓ«l

    Congratulations, Gotham Gal and Fred. And thanks for putting the video together, Rohan.

    1. David Semeria

      Hear, hear!!

  2. Donna Brewington White

    Finally, you are in my time zone! Well, not really, but the effect is the same.Happy Anniversary! I am so excited that you shared the video. A lot of excitement went into it and kudos to @RRohan189:disqus for orchestrating and producing. An idea that seemed crazy at the beginning but took on a life of its own.There were many people who wanted to participate but due to circumstances or timing were not able. The “card” that you also received contains a lot more signatures and well-wishes, and even in this case, not everyone who might have wanted to, was able to be included. I had an opportunity to see some of the email exchange around this; the video and the card skim the surface in revealing the tremendous enthusiasm and the outpouring of gratitude, respect and affection…even love… toward you and @GothamGal:disqus . And you deserve it. You have sown into so many.Enjoy this marvelous day.

    1. Robert Holtz

      Thank you Donna for everything you and Rohan did to put those things together… and thanks for including me in that gesture. Honored to be a part of it and to know your friendship. Happy Anniversary to Fred and Gotham Gal!

      1. Donna Brewington White

        Team effort. Community product.

    2. ShanaC

      Thank you Donna, and you did a terrific job at organizing.

      1. Donna Brewington White

        So many people stepped in and even took that extra step to make this happen. The only way it was possible.

        1. ShanaC

          Stil, take some credit :p

    3. Rohan

      What a lovely note, Donna. Fitting. πŸ™‚

    4. fredwilson

      i was wondering how you managed to get so many people in so many locations to sign that card

      1. Donna Brewington White

        magic

      2. Rohan

        Ask once. Follow up. Then follow up.

  3. William Mougayar

    It gives it a special meaning that you are celebrating this day as a family day and not just as a couple. Congratulations again. We’re thinking of you in a special way today.And big kudos to Rohan for his relentlesss pursuit of this global project. He managed it in true lean startup process with a few iterations along the way and rapid delivery.I’m seeing Rohan later today in London and it is fitting this is happening on the same day as your wedding anniversary.

    1. Donna Brewington White

      I wrote to someone at some point that the whole thing felt like a startup. Had a lot of the elements.

      1. JLM

        .Pay window!Well played!.

        1. Donna Brewington White

          I don’t know if the letter that you wrote to F&J on behalf of the community to accompany this project will ever be made public, but it was a beautiful and moving tribute. FJ25 FTW

    1. Donna Brewington White

      Thanks for chronicling, R. It’s a good story. An epic adventure.

      1. Donna Brewington White

        The only thing I would add is how so many people stepped in to make it happen — the world-traveling card in particular. It was heart-warming and truly amazing. The type of people that the Wilsons have attracted as friends and fans says a lot about them.

        1. Rohan

          Agree.And I’d also like to apologize to all those we didn’t manage to reach. I remember trying unsuccessfully to reach out to folks like @baba12 among others.Apologies! We did our best.. πŸ™‚

    2. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

      @rrohan189:disqus That is a good initiative and YES …. as Aaron says- never ask for permission to do Good things in life.btw r u hibernating? not seen in AVC now-a-days…

      1. Mark Essel

        Rohan was on an epic vacation, look forwar to hearing about it

      2. Rohan

        Was away on a road trip around the UK and then trekking in the Himalayas. πŸ™‚

        1. ShanaC

          how was the Himalayas….

          1. Rohan

            Very nice Shana. I’m on fast track trying to catch up with all the backlog. Hopefully I’ll write a proper post on Saturday. A short one coming up today.. πŸ™‚

    3. falicon

      Such a great job!The video you put together is probably my favorite thing I’ve ever seen linked to on avc.com (and that’s including a few of my own things that have been linked to from around here)…such fun to see and hear from so many of the different personalities from around avc and gothamgal.comI think this community, and the love that it produces, is proof that if you put good things into the system with nothing more than good intent (like Fred and Joanne do every day), you’ll get so many great and unexpected things out as well (like friends, love, and knowledge to name just a few)…very inspiring on so many levels…

      1. Rohan

        That’s a big compliment. Thank you so much my friend. πŸ™‚

      2. Dale Allyn

        I couldn’t agree more, Kevin. Beautifully stated.

      3. fredwilson

        yes indeed

    4. ShanaC

      Thank you. As I said before, that card made me happy. It is wonderful seeing a community coming together for a joyful reason.

      1. Rohan

        Thanks Shana. :-)I’m glad you video’d yourself in the end! πŸ™‚

        1. Dale Allyn

          I loved seeing @ShanaC:disqus in the video, Rohan. She’s such an important component here and prolific commenter on various blogs, but I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting her so her video adds a nice layer to knowing her a little bit more. ;)Of course, it was great to see all of the AVCer’s videos as well. Some I’ve met or spoken with, or seen in various videos or images, but others were completely new to see and a pleasure to get to know a bit better. Really well done, Rohan.

          1. Rohan

            It was the same here. Really nice seeing people ‘in person’ πŸ™‚

          2. ShanaC

            *blush* I should tell you I did that under duress, I hate getting pictures of me taken (and video to me is a nightmare)

          3. Dale Allyn

            Shana, we share this trait. There are very few photos of me, and in fact, I typically avoid the camera if I see that someone is pointing it my way. It’s become a bit of a game over the years. ;)You did great with your video and I was glad to see it.

          4. panterosa,

            @shanac @daleallyn. I am a pseudonym for still photos I did which got me in major trouble. That said I am very comfortable being photographed. But video is the new frontier for me. Have to make some soon and I feel the way you two do about the camera in that respect. I will need a Valium to manage my upcoming clips.

          5. Dale Allyn

            The irony is I’m a very active “back-of-the-camera” guy.

          6. panterosa,

            It’s the irony which always makes it funny. I am several photographers favorite model, yet here I am as a pink cartoon cat and not pictured as ‘myself’. (pinky is my favorite though, so a good alternative).

          7. Dale Allyn

            πŸ™‚ we just need to know our proper place: you in front of the camera, and me behind. πŸ˜‰

          8. ShanaC

            Good to know it isn’t just a me thing. I mean I like social media, just not pictures of me….

          9. Dale Allyn

            With the proper photography companion (with an understanding and appreciation for your sensitivities) you might become a bit more comfortable seeing and sharing photos of yourself. It requires trust and a little time. πŸ™‚

      2. panterosa,

        @shanac yes it was funny to watch you open it. I could see how it made you feel.

        1. ShanaC

          Alas, I have an easily read face.

  4. Bala

    Congratulations Fred and Joanne. Heres wishing you another great 25 years…

  5. John Best

    Congrats, you two! 25 years is a testimony to your love and devotion to each other.Thanks to Rohan for putting the video together, and apologies that (for once!) I was a trifle quiet πŸ˜‰

  6. Ela Madej

    Congratulations! Thanks Rohan for getting everyone involved (& all the email management & reminding us…). Just saw the final effect now, kind of intimidating to be the first when I know both of you so little (hope you don’t mind me taking that valuable real estate!) but pleasure to be a part of it anyway!Keep enjoying Europe, I’m taking care of the US for a change so there’s equilibrium πŸ˜‰

    1. Donna Brewington White

      You were a perfect start, Ela. I loved what you said. Where in the U.S. are you? Obviously you are still on Poland time. (Then, what’s my excuse?)

      1. Ela Madej

        I am on Y Combinator time πŸ˜‰ We’re in SF now! (thanks for nice words Donna!)

        1. Mark Essel

          Gratz Ela to you and your team

          1. Ela Madej

            THX!

        2. Donna Brewington White

          Congratulations, Ela! Just a few hundred miles north of me. 7 hour drive, 45 min. flight. So close and yet so far. Let me know if you travel south to Silicon Beach (haha — I am among those who kinda hate that term).

        3. ShanaC

          Congrats Ela!

          1. Ela Madej

            Thanks @ShanaC:disqus πŸ˜‰ It really just means that now we have to work even harder!

    2. fredwilson

      i like summers in europe better than the US. best time in California is winter. best time in NYC is spring and fall.

      1. Ela Madej

        I will have to come to NYC for fall then.

        1. Dale Allyn

          Ela, fall in NYC is very nice. Congrats on your progress.

      2. Dale Allyn

        Spring and fall are my favs in California, but that’s simply due to location (Sierra foothills). With a bit more effort, summer in the high country is great, too. But I hate summers where I live because of heat, so have spent most July/August spells in Thailand during the past many years. My patterns are changing now, so avoiding local summers isn’t so convenient. The Sierra high country fixes a lot though.

  7. Michael Kinsbergen

    Hope you have a wonderful time here in Amsterdam. If you need some insights on my city, feel free to contact me.

  8. Jan Schultink

    Congratulations

  9. Eric Leebow

    That’s really great you are still married for 25 years. I attended a wedding two weekends ago, and was wondering if anyone has ever missed breaking the glass. I asked someone, and they told me that it’s impossible. I guess you answered that question, yet you still broke it. Wishing you many more years of happiness to such an inspiring couple. Congrats!

  10. Humberto

    congrats! it talks a whole bowl of insanity and dedication to stay together for 25 years.

  11. Ela Madej

    U KEEP THAT WAY. love it.

  12. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

    Wishing you many more returns of the day.why just another 25 … I wish you both beat “Herbert and Zelmyra”.

    1. Aaron Klein

      25 years is a lot of work. I’m guessing it’s “25 at a time”! πŸ™‚

      1. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

        :).What i have seen with my parents (and few of my close relatives) is the bondage becomes stronger and stronger once the kids are on their own …and almost becomes ‘oneness’ after they cross their 60.

        1. Donna Brewington White

          I think you mean “bond” Kasi. πŸ˜‰

      2. Donna Brewington White

        minutes

        1. Aaron Klein

          Ha! That’s funny.I am POSITIVE that my wife makes it 25-minutes-at-a-time through our marriage once in a while.I try to do better, though…

  13. JimHirshfield

    Congrats!

  14. awaldstein

    Mazel tov to the both of you!

  15. Robert Holtz

    Huge thanks to @donnawhite:disqus and @rrohan189:disqus for all their work at conceiving of and logistically putting that card together. It was a privilege to get to sign that thing and be part of the intricate globetrotting trip that little seemingly-simple card took on its multi-stop voyage to the Wilson household.Fred, you are loved, man… We love our Bartender and all the instigators, regulars, and passersby here on AVC that connect and combine together to make AVC feel like an extended family. Best and warmest wishes to you and Gotham Gal on this very special milestone in the life you’ve built together.It is a gift to be in this world doing what you love with people you love and who love you back. Honor it like that treasure that it is and thank you for letting us be a small part of it.Blessings and Happy Anniversary!

    1. fredwilson

      that is the gift Robert. i get it every day.

      1. Robert Holtz

        You deserve it, Fred. Well done indeed.I once asked a guru what the secret was to a life well-lived. He said it came down to two things: How one ACTS and how one REACTS that defines the world which manifests for each and all of us.1) ACT – Act always with a sense of GRATITUDE because little do we realize the miraculous good fortune we have in simply being alive, possessing the privilege to be able to apply our actions and freewill into the world.2) REACT – In our dealings with others, our brains have a bias on wanting always to be RIGHT. Give energy instead to the heart which has a more illuminated inclination to being KIND. When you react, don’t strive to be right; strive to be kind.That conversation changed the entire course of my life, and for the better. You exemplify those ideals in so many ways, Fred. I regard you as very good reference because from what I’ve been able to observe, that seems to be a key part of your mission… and you pass on those ideals actively to others.We all need good reference because we DO live in a meme society that is too easily run far off-course by chaotic and fanatical influences. We need to surround ourselves with good examples of people going into the world with an active intent to make things holistically always better.The so-called “trappings” of success often take us away from those guideposts and we come to use our power instead on actions and reactions that are not so life-affirming. I’m reminded of a zen joke… “When I can learn to transcend my ego, I will be truly cool.”Again, Happy Anniversary and congrats on the greatest gift of all: a life well-lived.

  16. Scott Barnett

    20 years ago this month at our wedding, my father was dying to give me the advice “use your heel” when breaking the glass. Spared me a lot of embarrassment :-)Mazel Tov, and enjoy the next 25! What a beautiful video, a very touching tribute.

    1. Donna Brewington White

      duplicate — Android snafu

    2. Donna Brewington White

      Congratulations Scott! We will hit the 20 year mark in November. A lot happens in two decades and yet it is still hard to believe it has been that long.

      1. Scott Barnett

        And congrats to you too! I couldn’t agree more – it’s very strange, a lot has happened for sure, but yet I don’t feel 20 years older. Our oldest just graduated last night from High School, which was a huge milestone in itself, and we asked ourselves “How did we get here?” (credit to Talking Heads intentional πŸ™‚

        1. Donna Brewington White

          Congratulations, yet again. Our oldest will be a senior this coming school year so we have that to look forward to.

    3. fredwilson

      i needed that advice

  17. RichardF

    Huge congrats Joanne and Fred (you get less time for murder πŸ™‚ )Amazing job Rohan.

  18. Joe Yevoli

    I think I’ve heard it’s good luck when it rains on your wedding day :)Either way, congratulations on 25 years!

  19. Carl Rahn Griffith

    Many Congratulations – here’s to the next 25 years! Carl & Helen (at a mere 6 years this August 4) xx

  20. Bang Her

    Bang her from all the AVC community!

  21. Aaron Klein

    Congratulations and happy anniversary Fred and Joanne. A great marriage is a gift. I can only hope to catch up to you some day!

  22. William Mougayar

    How about the greetings card that many of us signed- was it received?

    1. Donna Brewington White

      Yes.

    2. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

      scanned copy I saw on Rohan’s page.

    3. fredwilson

      yes, i should have snapped a photo of it on my android and uploaded.

  23. Tom Labus

    Congrats on your 25th!!Enjoy.

  24. Guest

    Happy Anniversary to Fred and Gotham Gal…I did get to sign the card, and kudos to Donna and Rohan for pulling that off! I know how much effort went into that!Didn’t make the video; not as technologically advanced as everyone else (my phone is for phone calls not everything else!)Finally, a toast to another wonderful 25 years!

    1. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

      “Phone for phone calls” πŸ™‚ liked that … mine too … $30 nokia phone for the last 5-year and before that a $25 nokia … nothing beyond phone call and sms.

    2. Donna Brewington White

      Thanks again for the “save” πŸ˜‰

  25. John Revay

    OUTSTANDING & Congrats on the 25 year milestone. It speaks volumes to the both of you as fine people and great parents.I am glad that your best man JOHN was able to recover the glass and that all went well, he sounds like a great wingman, hopefully you are still good friends today.Pls enjoy the rest of your family holiday.Kudos to Donna and Rohan for putting the collateral together – they were very persistent in following up.

    1. fredwilson

      we are still great friends with John and his wife Diana. they’ve been at our side at all of our big moments as a couple.

      1. John Revay

        John & Diana – still great friends…..I once recall reading that you took $100K from a good friend (perhaps a college buddy) when you raised USV……and the friend told you that the funds were going to be used for their children’s college education….wondering if these are connected.No need to answer (over sharing or as my children sometimes say – TMI) – I was just taken back when I read your original comment about the $100K.& w/ a name like John – he has to be a good guy πŸ™‚

        1. fredwilson

          Different friend but a true story

      2. John Revay

        John & Diana – still great friends…..I once recall reading that you took $100K from a good friend (perhaps a college buddy) when you raised USV……and the friend told you that the funds were going to be used for their children’s college education….wondering if these are connected.No need to answer (over sharing or as my children sometimes say – TMI) – I was just taken back when I read your original comment about the $100K.& w/ a name like John – he has to be a good guy πŸ™‚

  26. kirklove

    Congrats and continued happiness to you both πŸ™‚

  27. bsoist

    Congratulations!

  28. EmilSt

    Have a great anniversary! I wish you all the best! You are an inspiration.

  29. JamesHRH

    Congratulations!

  30. Cam MacRae

    Congratulations! Hope you have a fantastic day.

  31. baba12

    Many Happy returns of the day to Mr.Wilson and the Gotham Gal…

  32. reece

    happy anniversary to you and @gothamgal!awesome example of a great founding team ;)love the vid. nice work Rohan!

    1. Rohan

      Thanks Reece, for your rockstar appearance. πŸ™‚

      1. reece

        haha gladly

      2. Mark Essel

        I know right, his video came off so laid back and chill. Gotta work on my random video well wishing.

  33. reece

    hahaha… nice one @bijan

    1. Mark Essel

      I cracked up watching Bijan’s vid, Michelle had to check and make sure I wasn’t losing it

    2. kidmercury

      lol that was great……def like bijan’s fake moon landing more than nasa’s

      1. fredwilson

        what are you suggesting?

        1. kidmercury

          referencing the moon conspiracy theories. the consensus amongst serious kooks is that nasa has gone to the moon, and that space exploration in general is far more advanced than we are led to believe, but the footage that nasa has presented is doctored (much like bijan’s video!). the consensus kook viewpoint, which i concur with, is that the doctoring is designed to remove signs of civilization and alien life form.

    3. fredwilson

      yeah, that was cool

      1. reece

        the delivery is what did it for menatural actor

  34. kidmercury

    congrats on reaching this milestone! i hope the next 25 are even better, that people get envious as a result, and that you rub it in accordingly.

    1. JLM

      .Kid, I don’t think that video sequence of Bijan was really on the moon. It looked fake to me. Could this be some kind of conspiracy?.

      1. kidmercury

        for sure! a sinister plot to deceive the people of fredland. next thing you know bijan will want to raise taxes to fund further exploration of the moon — to establish a lunar presence before fred’s rival blog stars do……those who dispute will have their patriotism questioned and will be accused of being terrorists……will history repeat?????

        1. JLM

          .OK, we are on the same wavelength on this issue.I think that Bijan can probably get a grant from the department of energy for a lunar power plant on the moon, and why not?Lots of jobs to be created on the moon these days — goodness knows they are not being created on earth, right?And I already feel unpatriotic, and hell truth be known a bit racist really, for even allowing the questions to form in my head.Because I know my place..

          1. fredwilson

            kooking out JLM?

  35. markslater

    i sat in the lobby of spark capital (i think it was on the bijan sabet stop) and read through all the well wishers comments on the card! it was a smorgishboard (spelling) of funny comments.Great idea and effort by all of you who organized this – i am grateful that it found its way to boston and that i could leave my 2 cents to wish them well.thanks.

    1. Rohan

      I would SO love to see it for real sometime. haha

  36. markslater

    Video was awesome -ok @wmoug:disqus where did you get that suit? bravo.

    1. William Mougayar

      Ha! That was just a jacket by Versace πŸ™‚ thanks

  37. johnmccarthy

    Congratulations!

  38. John@PGISelfDirected

    Happy anniversary! I am very happy for you both. Keep the good stuff coming, Fred!

  39. Robert Levitan

    Congrats and best wishes for the next 25!

  40. William Mougayar

    …and if any of you feels the urge to leave comments on the YouTube channel, Engagio now supports YouTube comments, as of a few days ago πŸ™‚

    1. falicon

      love the hussel! πŸ˜‰

      1. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

        @falicon:disqus we have learn a lot of marketing from William … given a byte chance he pushes MB.

    2. ShanaC

      Actually Brilliant, moderating out there is a nightmare.

    3. Kirsten Lambertsen

      Cheers! That’s great.

    4. John Best

      Good stuff!

    5. andyswan

      Rule #1 achieved.

    6. JLM

      Engagio, engagio, engagio — how did I live without Engagio?

    7. Donna Brewington White

      You are so wonderfully predictable.Great new feature, btw.

    8. aarondelcohen

      I commented there and will also comment here. this is really a beautiful gesture.

  41. Christian Brucculeri

    Congrats!

  42. ShanaC

    First off, thank you for being good community leaders.Secondly, seeing everyone’s face in the video is making me tear up.Thirdly, Mazel Tov. A long time ago I once wrote that as an outsider I was using your marriage as a model for what to look for. Unless something serious happens, have at least another 25 years!

  43. Kirsten Lambertsen

    Happy Anniversary!That video was super cool. How fun to put voices to so many of these avatars.

  44. Lisa Mogull

    Congratulations! Your marriage is one of the myriad of ways you and Joanne are inspirational! I look forward to congratulating you both again in another 25 years…

  45. Jake Cohen

    That’s amazing…relationships are effort and 25 years is a milestone. I remember when my parents hit theirs. Lots to be proud of, Fred. Kudos.

  46. Brian

    Congrats and happy anniversary!

  47. FlavioGomes

    25 years?? From the looks of you guys, you got married when you were 10? Well done! And cheers to many more decades!

    1. Donna Brewington White

      I think you are right!See the photo on @GothamGal:disqus’s blog: http://www.gothamgal.com/go…Cuuute!

      1. panterosa,

        Its a great photo. Haven’t thought of how to draw that one, yet.

        1. Donna Brewington White

          The F & J you created for the card were very clever.

          1. panterosa,

            Thanks Donna, glad you liked it. Perhaps I should try drawing you next! Thank goodness I’ve met you – hardest to draw those who you don’t see move in their body to get it right. That video helped me with those I haven’t met yet here on AVC.

  48. Shyam Subramanyan

    Congrats on the 25 years and happy anniversary! Still many more to come, I’m sure.

  49. Elie Seidman

    Mazel tov!

  50. Matt A. Myers

    I missed the boat on the video, though worked out that I could make it to Toronto to sign the card! Curious who else signed it and where it went in the world – not sure if Rohan posted this anywhere? :)And Happy Anniversary once again – I can’t wait to see how you two evolve over the next 25 years and what you help bring into this world. :)And now I must go on an adventure because I locked myself out of my place – and my friend who’s currently crashing at my place just started a job today on Wolfe Island has my spare keys, so on a ferry ride I go!

    1. Mark Essel

      I had to guestimate the mileage:MilesLondon – Milan596Milan – Toronto4135Toronto – Malibu2177Malibu – Auburn360Auburn – Malibu360 (corrected by Dale below)Malibu – Century City, CA28Century City, CA – San Francisco347San Francisco – San Diego459San Diego – Malibu155Malibu – Moorpark, CA30Moorpark, CA – Austin1260Austin – Bowling green Kentucky922Bowling green Kentucky – Washington DC659Washington DC – Chicago700Chicago – Boulder1020Boulder – Boston2014Boston – New Jersey293New Jersey – Malibu2792Malibu – Hastings on Hudson2842Hastings on Hudson – Port Washington29.6Port Washington – NYC22+ some time carried around with me after a hand off from Panterosa and Shana (I brought it home and then back to Manhattan the next day, ~140). Then Cherry Chu got AVC folks sigs, and added some down to the wire esigs.we rounded up a tad to cover ground transportation to and from airports, and non point to point transit

      1. Dale Allyn

        Very cool to see the crisscross path and distances, Mark.Malibu – Auburn – Malibu is too high. Probably the wrong Auburn, Mark. πŸ™‚ The correct Auburn in this case is in the Sierra foothills about 30 miles east of Sacramento (I-80 between San Fran and Lake Tahoe πŸ˜‰

        1. Mark Essel

          nice, sounds like a beautiful place to visit.The automated city finder I used failed to discern the “true” Auburn.Jeez, wonder where that one was.

          1. Dale Allyn

            Auburn, WA? Auburn, TX? πŸ˜‰ there are a bunch of them. Luckily, humans still have some value in directing machines. πŸ˜‰

          2. Dale Allyn

            Looks like 360 miles as the crow flies (one way), Mark.

      2. Matt A. Myers

        Awesome. Thanks for this. πŸ™‚

        1. Mark Essel

          anytime Matt

      3. Dale Allyn

        I think we got our wires crossed a bit, Mark. It’s 360 miles, not 30 miles.

        1. Mark Essel

          updated it, thanks Dale, I had no idea where the letter went besides a few vague locations. I was only given Auburn, appreciate you knowing which one (assume it was you the card went to on that leg?)

          1. Dale Allyn

            Yes, Mark, I am in Auburn, CA and @aaronklein:disqus is nearby as well, so we met for coffee, signed the card and expressed it back to @donnawhite:disqus in Malibu that same afternoon. It worked out smoothly and was great fun to connect with Aaron and Donna in the process.

          2. Aaron Klein

            Indeed it was! Riskalyze Command Central is now located in Auburn as well.

          3. Dale Allyn

            Very cool. (A great Wall Street address. πŸ˜‰

          4. Aaron Klein

            Actually, we need to update the web site, but we’re not on Wall Street any more! We found a great deal on space with a ton of room to grow across town on Atwood.

          5. Dale Allyn

            Oh, that’s cool. Sadly, there’s a fair bit of space available these days (thanks to the economy).

          6. Mark Essel

            Wasn’t that an incredibly fun part of this gift, you and @aaronklein:disqus got to pow wow a bit and pass along the baton.I had a grand time meeting a number of AVC’ers and other folks who know Fred from the area. I also got to check out Cyberdyne systems (@reecepacheco:disqus), and a quick meeting with @Panterosa and @ShanaC:disqus the day before.

          7. Dale Allyn

            Yes, it was a very important element of the whole process. Kudos to @rrohan189:disqus for starting it, to @donnawhite:disqus and you for keeping it organized, and to all who participated.

          8. Donna Brewington White

            Very fitting that community building was a by-product! Indeed it was. I have an inkling that Fred would like that!

          9. Dale Allyn

            Absolutely!

      4. Tom Labus

        A lot of potential exists for a few AVC companies from the talent at hand.

      5. William Mougayar

        Wow!

  51. Andy

    Congrats Fred (and Gotham Girl)…I am married 24 years – lot of work and HUGE rewards…When I broke the glass – the Rabbi said “This represents the last time you will ever put your foot down” ….If you’re married 25 years, you’ll recognize what that means πŸ™‚

  52. panterosa,

    Congratulations and enjoy the day. Time to break another glass?

  53. andyidsinga

    cheers to 25 more Fred and Joanne@rrohan189:disqus and @donnawhite:disqus – thanks so much for organizing and making the card and video. It was so cool to see some of the regulars.@JLM I would not have expected less – and yet it still sort of surprised me πŸ™‚

    1. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

      @andyidsinga:disqus you looked very different on the video compared to the photo here…and yes i look very different in my photo :-).

      1. andyidsinga

        been going longer between haircuts since my profile photo ..plus I’m just getting old πŸ˜‰

        1. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

          πŸ™‚

  54. CamiloALopez

    Big Congratulations to you and Gotham girl! You guys influence so many people and we thank you for your leadership and support to the entrepreneurial community!

  55. kenberger

    Great job, RRohan189! I guess I shouldn’t have passed on this when offered, it turned out well and i’m excited to be wrong about that.

    1. Rohan

      We missed you! Congrats on the wedding!!

  56. kenberger

    Fred: I’m taking notes about the glass break story so I’m forewarned.I got married up in a helicopter over NYC this past Saturday: http://on.fb.me/LDFxaL(Glass break will happen at a later ceremony)

    1. JLM

      .Wow!Why?.

      1. kenberger

        ha! we’re adventure-driven and eclectic. And wanted a real ceremony with the “chupah” and glass break sometime later in the winter in Florida with the family. This allowed us to do a legally binding ceremony of basically just us for now, party with friends and family rest of the day.

    2. kidmercury

      congrats!

    3. Donna Brewington White

      Congratulations!Back story?

      1. kenberger

        see my reply to JLM, should be nearby in this thread.

        1. Donna Brewington White

          saw that. cool.

    4. ShanaC

      Mazel tov!!!!

    5. fredwilson

      wow. congratulations Ken!

  57. LE

    Congratulations on 25 years.On the video I would like to do the following callouts:@jlm – The clear winner for creativity, effort, and classiness. (Love the oil paintings and hope you are going to donate them to the statehouse in your will. Are those CRT’s behind your desk?)@rrohan189:disqus – Keep your day job! Great job organizing this by the way. (And @donna as well obviously.)@wmoug:disqus – Best personality and presentation that I didn’t know you had.@reecepacheco:disqus – Reece “Younger Giuliani” Pacheco. If there is ever a casting call for a movie about him you should go to it.@donnawhite:disqus and @ShanaC:disqus – I have to shoot both of you your photos they don’t do you justice.@fakegrimlock – (silence).

    1. JLM

      .You will note that I had the flags out for the tribute to Joanne & Fred. In weird liberal Austin, I actually had complaints that I had “over flagged”.The painting of George W Littlefield is going to the University of Texas.The painting of VMI is going to……………VMI.The VMI painting was commissioned about 25 years ago and was done by an artist who was a VN war protester — all unbeknownst to all at the time.He went to VMI to see the joint and was moved by the names of VMI men killed in various wars but particularly those from VN.He painted the work and it was unveiled in the lobby of the Littlefield Building in Austin, Tx in about 1990.I can’t tell you the rest of the story just now as this is not the right forum.Those are in fact CRTs. I want three 30″ monitors when I grow up..

      1. kidmercury

        people really complained that your house was overflagged? did they complain to you, or to law enforcement? lol that really is weird, even by kook standards……

        1. Mark Essel

          and when it’s weird by kook standards, it’s downright phreaky deaky

          1. kidmercury

            lol i know right??!?!?!!!

        2. JLM

          .That’s the international headquarters of my company which is located between the University of Texas and a very expensive and liberal neighborhood. It is Fort Apache.It sits on a hill overlooking Shoal Creek where Custer, Lee and lots of Indians camped. There is a “hanging tree” in the front yard from which desperadoes were hung and supposedly a few good folks lynched. That was a few years ago.I received two contacts seemingly in support — one from an obviously drunken passerby who wanted to know when the party started and another who wanted to know how big the garrison flag was.I received approximately five contacts in opposition with most of the comments being Fox News/overly patriotic/conspicuous display of faux patriotism such comments. A fairly deep intellectual groove.Remember this is ATX where the motto is — “keeping it weird”..

          1. Mark Essel

            Speaking of Custer, I saw the battlefield where his last stand was in Montana. He was deranged to think he could hold that ground against the number of native americans in the area.But he wasn’t deranged enough! Maybe he could have spear headed a break in the lines of the onslaught and broken out as opposed to holding the hill and falling back. He did have a few cavalrymen.A few images: https://www.google.com/sear

          2. ShanaC

            you definitely live up to that motto :p

          3. Guest

            JLM,You need liberals like me living by you…Its your yard, they are your flags, so just knock your socks off!I fly my own flag at half mast every July 19th in honor of the day my Father passed away…Its my flag….

      2. LE

        “Those are in fact CRTs. I want three 30” monitors”One of my sayings is “you can never be to rich, to thin, or have to many monitors”.I’m an inveterate buyer of anything that can improve productivity. I bought my first LCD from SGI which was only a 17″ that cost $3400 if I remember correctly. If you converted to LCD’s you could pick up additional room on your desk. Two 30″ Apple’s and 24″ would work nicely.

        1. Dale Allyn

          Right, Larry. It’s amazing how much desk real estate one gains with flat displays. I work in front of two 27″ (hardware calibrated) wide-gamut displays and would like to add a third. Two 27’s is pretty good, but I’m always using Expose’ to check background stuff that I’d like to have in view more often.

      3. panterosa,

        “over flagged” how funny.I never told you I have designed flags, some riffs of the SS banner. I taught myself how to embroider by hand a two sided perfect star. it was a very intense thing. Then to sew the folded seams over in succession and proper order. You may be the only person interested in this past passion of mine from years ago.PS I want OLED’s and projectors. Or better a giant iPad the size of a wall. Now that would be the bomb.

      4. fredwilson

        i love the big whiteboard. i need one for my home office!

        1. JLM

          .That’s my office office not my home office.The building used to be the HQ of the Lumberman’s Ass’n of TX — guys who make lumber. It is finished with every kind of lumber made in TX in 1950.It is on top of a hill overlooking Shoal Creek on the western edge of the West University area (frats, sororities, expensive student housing).I live about half a mile away on the other side of Shoal Creek on an opposing hill.I have gotten to the point that I don’t just like, I NEED a freakin’ whiteboard to be able to think these days.Travel safe and enjoy yourself..

          1. fredwilson

            Cool offices

        2. William Wagner

          Get a sheet of glass right in front of a white wall, with some LED strips backlighting the glass. instant starwars style tactical backlit whiteboard

    2. Rohan

      Just when I was beginning to have hopes of making it as a rock star…….Hahaha

    3. reece

      hahais that because you think i look like him or because i seem mayoral?

      1. LE

        You look like him and sure you could easily do the political thing.Watch the promo reel for “Giuliani Time” if you have a chance (available on netflix ..)http://www.imdb.com/title/t…

    4. ShanaC

      I suggest avoiding me and cameras. it is really difficult for me to be in pictures. I don’t like it at all…..

      1. FlavioGomes

        I thought you looked pretty. And I mean that in the most respectful manner. Fear not the camera πŸ™‚

        1. ShanaC

          cameras are distorting. I fear it plenty.

    5. William Mougayar

      Thanks. I’m full of surprises …mostly good ones πŸ™‚

  58. Dale Allyn

    Congratulations! Joanne and Fred. A fantastic milestone, and one of many more to come!@rrohan189:disqus Great job on the video! It’s a real pleasure to watch.

  59. ceonyc

    It always comes down to team, doesn’t it? πŸ™‚

    1. fredwilson

      yup

  60. Conrad Ross Schulman

    happy anniversary! may u both have long happy & successful long-life together!!

  61. Samuel Shih

    Congrats!

  62. Noah Lackstein

    Mazel Tov!

  63. bob

    congratulations to the newlyweds…35 years and still talking – bob dorf

    1. fredwilson

      ha!

  64. Hari Mohanan

    Happy 25th Anniversary!! Congratulations, Fred and Joanne!! Thank You for all the knowledge you have shared here. Wishing you both all the best!

  65. Jon Knight

    Happy Anniversary!

  66. mikenolan99

    Happy Anniversary…. 25 years for us in August.

  67. Ruth BT

    25 years married is great but 25 years happily married is awesome and an inspiration. Thank you to both of you for your wisdom. When I reflect I realise you both have put lots of thoughts about your partnership in your blogs and I have taken those lessons on board. Wishing you another 25 at least!

  68. Satish Mummareddy

    Happy 25th Fred and Joanne.That was an incredible video………………

  69. jimmystone

    Happy Anniversary and Congrats!

  70. Dasher

    A very happy 25th anniversary to Fred and Joanne. Hope you and your family have a great future ahead of you.Nice video. Really touching. Congrats to Rohan, Donna and other organizers.

  71. John Revay

    Out takesI was very fortunate to have Rohan – ask me to send in a video clip (he was very persistent). I was not ecstatic w/ my clip ( I shot it using an iPad 2- holding the unit in landscape mode – I was looking to the right for some reason – to the center of the iPad, I did not adjust my line of sight to the side of the iPad w/ the camera )It would have been funny to see out takes – I must of tried shooting my clip about 10 times.

  72. Kasi Viswanathan Agilandam

    My cutest contest vote goes to @RedRookDigital:disqus @elamadej:disqus and @ShanaC:disqus …@rrohan189:disqus you should learn some hair styling from RedRook πŸ™‚

    1. ShanaC

      πŸ™‚

    2. John Best

      How can I not upvote this? πŸ™‚

  73. nmooney

    Congratulations! It’s not every day that you see a couple who is as committed to their marriage as their careers, particularly in this industry. It means more than you may know!

  74. Satyajeet Salgar

    Happy anniversary! πŸ™‚

  75. snooch

    Happy and Healthy Fred and Jo!! From Hearts on Great Arbor Drive, “sessions” in Jerry’s room downstairs, your wedding, shooting pool at Julians on 14th St, a trip to the Steam Box and all of the memories in between you two are a dynamic and special couple. Through it all you’ve been true to yourselves and always a special part of my life. Hope to hang out East later this summer. xo

    1. fredwilson

      “You got no business hitting from the steambox!”One of the all time great lines

  76. lbarlev

    Happy Anniversary. You are truly inspirational on many fronts! Here’s to 25 more.

  77. Barrett

    6/20/98

  78. Rahul Deodhar

    Happy anniversary! To many many more!

  79. ppearlman

    mazel tov kids!

  80. paramendra

    Congrats.

  81. leigh

    lol i totally missed this post. crazy week. congrats again.