Category Archives: Congratulations

Day 248: Becky and Steve

Posted on September 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

This weekend two good friends are getting married. Becky and Steve are rare individuals who inspire me to lead my life to its fullest. They care…and not just about themselves or where to find the best vegetarian food in town, but they care about people they’ve never met, they care about the planet we’re stewarding for future generations and they care about their friends and family. I have to share too that Steve even works for an organization called CARE! It’s very fitting.

Anyway, tomorrow should be an amazing evening.

Day 248

Dear Becky and Steve, 

You’ve been asking about your letter – well here it is! I’ve waited until today, the eve of your wedding, to write to you.

For some reason people, and I include myself here, feel compelled to give advice to those who are getting married. Ironic that I feel this compulsion given the fact that I have never been married.

A few years ago, while browsing through an airport bookstore, I bought a book for my father. It’s called 30 Lessons for Living. It was written by Karl Pillemer, a professor at Cornell. He spent five years interviewing older Americans, aged 70-102, about the tried and true advice on life from our wisest members of our community.

Me, Becky and Steve. By the way, that's a vegan meal I bought at a food truck and proudly displayed. Steve and Becky inspired me to give up meat for the past four months.

Me, Becky and Steve at a concert Friday night. By the way, that’s a vegan meal I bought at a food truck and proudly displayed. Steve and Becky inspired me to give up meat for the past four months.

As I stated, I bought it for my Dad – he seemed to be struggling to find purpose and happiness after my mother died. But after reading it, I decided not to give it to him. I don’t know why – I guess I thought it was mostly for younger people, especially younger married couples. I decided to tuck the book away and save it for a special couple who lived their lives with intention and worked hard at being their highest self.

This book is for you – the advice contained within the pages of the book is based on the wisdom of those with far greater experience in life than me.

Congratulations on your marriage. You are both beautiful, thoughtful and generous. I enjoy the time we share together and value our friendship. Being a part of your lives and your wedding has great meaning for me.

Best wishes for tomorrow and every day after.
Reed

P.S. I’m working on a special wedding gift for you!

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Day 244: Christian from Los Tacos Numero 1 in NYC

Posted on September 1, 2015 | Leave a comment
photo: Los Tacos Numero 1

photo: Los Tacos Numero 1

I am huge taco connoisseur. It goes back to living in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico when I was in high school. Traditional Mexican tacos are simple: fresh tortillas wrapped around grilled meat topped with a little onion and cilantro served with a side of limes, radishes and cucumbers.

These are my delicious cactus tacos and mula (a taco sandwich of sort). The hot salsa here is hot. You have been warned.

These are my delicious cactus tacos and mula (a taco sandwich of sort). The hot salsa here is hot. You have been warned.

Los Tacos Numero 1 are awesome. I was there last month and had two tacos and a mula. They were so freaking good and I didn’t even have carne asada (grilled steak), which is my favorite. I was not eating any meat until last week as part of a wedding gift to some friends who are vegetarian. Thankfully they had nopal, or cactus, tacos. They were amazing, but I yearn for the rich flavor of Mexican street tacos which I had as a teenager – they were almost always carne asada.

Christian, an architect from Southern California, is one of the owners of this cornucopia of Mexican goodness. If you are in NYC and want some delicious tacos – make sure you hit up Los Tacos Numero 1!

Los Tacos Numero 1
75 Ninth Ave
New York, NY 10011

Buen provecho!

Day244-2

Dear Christian,

I was recently in NYC for work and stopped into Chelsea Market – my friend Uday said I had to check it out. Having lived in Sinaloa, Mexico, I have a pretty high bar for taco utopia and Los Tacos No. 1 did not disappoint. My only wish is that I had been eating meat at the time (long story), because I only tried the nopal taco and mula – both were excellent! The fresh corn tortillas and salsas were legit. I left though wondering if the carne asada would taste like the tacos from Guasave, Sinaloa that I dream.

Day244I’ll be back up in the city on the 23rd and 24th and would love to have a taco with you – this time I’m eating meat and will definitely try the carne asada!

If you are ever in Washington, DC and want to check out the taco scene here, let me know. I’d be happy to take you on a taco tour of some authentic taquerías doing good work here in our nation’s capital.

Felicidades y un cordial saludo desde Washington, DC,

Reed Sandridge

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Day 232: Barbara

Posted on August 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

Sometimes the worlds of my “Year of” projects collide – today is an example of just that. Barbara, who followed the Year of Giving and Year of Volunteering, dropped me a handwritten note to say hello. She said she’s enjoyed following my year-long pursuits and is looking forward to my book. Yeah, me and Barbara both. I’ve got a ways to go on that though, I just haven’t been spending enough time on it. Perhaps next year has to be the Year of Reed’s Book.

My letter with Barbara's card in the background.

My letter with Barbara’s card in the background.

Barbara,

Wow! I was so pleasantly surprised to get your letter – it’s been a long time. I looked through my old emails and found that I wrote you back after your email to me in September of 2011, but I’m not sure I ever sent you the volunteering suggestions?! Shame on me if I didn’t.

Thank you for sharing about your volunteering experience during your Spring Break – what a great way to spend that week. I think voluntourism is an interesting way to bring groups together while doing good.

Congratulations on your nursing degree. I’ve had several friends and family members in the hospital this year and have developed an even deeper appreciation for the profession. You’re doing truly important work!

Best of luck to you on your wedding, that’s exciting – hopefully not too stressful. Don’t forget that it is celebration and it’s meant to be a special day for you to remember – make sure you enjoy the moments.

Thank you again for reaching out and saying hello – that meant a lot to me. Stay in touch,
Reed

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Day 223: Thom and Tressa

Posted on August 11, 2015 | 1 comment

A happier note today – it’s the 8th anniversary of two of my best friends: Thom and Tressa. And if I truly was a good friend I wouldn’t write Thom’s name wrong on the card! I’ve screwed that up for years….I just instinctively write Tom. The thing about good friends is that they don’t give a shit about stuff like that.

Day 223

Tom & Tressa,

I looked up what traditional gifts are for 8th anniversaries and it said pottery/bronze. I can’t imagine what pottery item or bronze statue I’d get you so you’ll have to settle for this card. Your wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun – I’m still honored today to have been a part of your special day. Happy Anniversary!

I love you guys,
Reed

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Day 218: Jon Stewart

Posted on August 6, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: AP Photo/Brad Barket

Photo: AP Photo/Brad Barket

My second letter this year to a long standing (ok, sitting) host of late night television. Thanks for the memories Jon – see you at the party on January 5th!

Day 218

You’ve been coming into our living rooms, ahem…bedrooms perhaps, for more than 15 years. More importantly you’ve been informing us and entertaining us – you’re like a therapist only better. Sure, you listen, you process information and become an active voice in the conversation, only you cut through the charades and bullshit and deliver the medicine we need with a soothing spoonful of humor that makes the insanity of the reality – or is it the reality of the insanity? – somehow easier to swallow.

Day 218-3I’m writing you as part of a year-long commitment that I’ve made of writing handwritten letters every day. It’s a lost art – or as your pal Steve Carell said (I wrote him on Day 7), “Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It’s disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there’s something visceral about opening a letter – I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.” He’s so right.

While everyone is grilling you about what you will do next, my wish is that whatever you do, you find time to be with those you love – maybe even write them a letter. Speaking of you writing letters, a response from you would be the pinnacle of my Year of Letters. Right now that honor goes to either my father or an inspiring 100 year-old doctor from California who wrote me back. I also received a response from George W. Bush.

Anyway, good luck and thanks.

With respect and admiration and a bit of a man crush,
Reed Sandridge 

Day 218-2P.S. A wiser man than me once said, “Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may.” Well played, sir.

P.P.S. Mark your calendar for January 5th, 2016 – I’m throwing a party for all 365 people who have received a letter this year. More details at YearOfLetters.com or email me at reed@yearofletters.com. Your drinks are on me!

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