I remember when I was six years old my parents took me to see the Brooklyn
parents took me to see the Brooklyn
parents took me to see the Brooklyn Bridge and we’re seeing in the bridge
Bridge and we’re seeing in the bridge
Bridge and we’re seeing in the bridge and I remember seeing a huge bridge all
and I remember seeing a huge bridge all
and I remember seeing a huge bridge all of the steel structures and I asked my
of the steel structures and I asked my
of the steel structures and I asked my parents like how did the bridge get
parents like how did the bridge get
parents like how did the bridge get built I was so little the bridge was so
built I was so little the bridge was so
built I was so little the bridge was so big and I couldn’t imagine how people
big and I couldn’t imagine how people
big and I couldn’t imagine how people could build the bridge so we walked over
could build the bridge so we walked over
could build the bridge so we walked over to the plaques and we were reading the
to the plaques and we were reading the
to the plaques and we were reading the information and I just remember thinking
information and I just remember thinking
information and I just remember thinking like how did the humans build this
like how did the humans build this
like how did the humans build this bridge and make it possible for people
bridge and make it possible for people
bridge and make it possible for people on one side of the bridge to get to the
on one side of the bridge to get to the
on one side of the bridge to get to the other side and I was always truly
other side and I was always truly
other side and I was always truly fascinated with that I was fascinated at
fascinated with that I was fascinated at
fascinated with that I was fascinated at how we could build such a structure and
how we could build such a structure and
how we could build such a structure and how such a structure could create such
how such a structure could create such
how such a structure could create such an ease of access from one side of the
an ease of access from one side of the
an ease of access from one side of the town or a city to another I think that’s
town or a city to another I think that’s
town or a city to another I think that’s where the fascination began with bridges
where the fascination began with bridges
where the fascination began with bridges fast forward about 30 years I wake up
fast forward about 30 years I wake up
fast forward about 30 years I wake up one day and and I realized that I have
one day and and I realized that I have
one day and and I realized that I have this goal and I kind of called it a life
this goal and I kind of called it a life
this goal and I kind of called it a life goal because I don’t like the term
goal because I don’t like the term
goal because I don’t like the term bucket list I just wanted to be my life
bucket list I just wanted to be my life
bucket list I just wanted to be my life goal to walk over ten of the most
goal to walk over ten of the most
goal to walk over ten of the most amazing bridges in the world with ten
amazing bridges in the world with ten
amazing bridges in the world with ten people that I love and I don’t even know
people that I love and I don’t even know
people that I love and I don’t even know where it came from
where it came from
where it came from I just have always loved bridges and so
I just have always loved bridges and so
I just have always loved bridges and so I started writing down like what I
I started writing down like what I
I started writing down like what I wanted that to be and what that looked
wanted that to be and what that looked
wanted that to be and what that looked like and it was really just simple I had
like and it was really just simple I had
like and it was really just simple I had a couple of rules
a couple of rules
a couple of rules first of all whoever I walked the bridge
first of all whoever I walked the bridge
first of all whoever I walked the bridge with the person that I loved it had to
with the person that I loved it had to
with the person that I loved it had to be just me and that person it wasn’t
be just me and that person it wasn’t
be just me and that person it wasn’t like me my sister and then my nephew and
like me my sister and then my nephew and
like me my sister and then my nephew and niece and my brother-in-law but just me
niece and my brother-in-law but just me
niece and my brother-in-law but just me and my sister
and my sister
and my sister the second rule was it had to be a
the second rule was it had to be a
the second rule was it had to be a bridge that had something very majestic
bridge that had something very majestic
bridge that had something very majestic or phenomenal about it I wanted to kind
or phenomenal about it I wanted to kind
or phenomenal about it I wanted to kind of replicate that same experience that I
of replicate that same experience that I
of replicate that same experience that I felt that day on the Brooklyn Bridge the
felt that day on the Brooklyn Bridge the
felt that day on the Brooklyn Bridge the third rule was it had to be a bridge
third rule was it had to be a bridge
third rule was it had to be a bridge that neither me nor the other person had
that neither me nor the other person had
that neither me nor the other person had ever walked across so of course it had
ever walked across so of course it had
ever walked across so of course it had to be walkable as well and then lastly I
to be walkable as well and then lastly I
to be walkable as well and then lastly I wanted each of those ten bridges to be a
wanted each of those ten bridges to be a
wanted each of those ten bridges to be a bridge
bridge
bridge neither one of us had it walked over but
neither one of us had it walked over but
neither one of us had it walked over but also in a country that that we hadn’t
also in a country that that we hadn’t
also in a country that that we hadn’t been and walked over a bridge so with
been and walked over a bridge so with
been and walked over a bridge so with those conditions
those conditions
those conditions I miss hunt to just write down all these
I miss hunt to just write down all these
I miss hunt to just write down all these bridges and try to come up with a kind
bridges and try to come up with a kind
bridges and try to come up with a kind of dislike hit list of bridges and I got
of dislike hit list of bridges and I got
of dislike hit list of bridges and I got into contact with the ten people most of
into contact with the ten people most of
into contact with the ten people most of the people were in my family and started
the people were in my family and started
the people were in my family and started kind of pairing people up with bridges I
kind of pairing people up with bridges I
kind of pairing people up with bridges I also gave myself ten years to complete
also gave myself ten years to complete
also gave myself ten years to complete this goal and the very first bridge that
this goal and the very first bridge that
this goal and the very first bridge that I walked I decided to walk with my dad
I walked I decided to walk with my dad
I walked I decided to walk with my dad now my dad served in the Vietnam War in
now my dad served in the Vietnam War in
now my dad served in the Vietnam War in Korea on the DMZ and he he ended up
Korea on the DMZ and he he ended up
Korea on the DMZ and he he ended up getting a sort of an agent orange it’s
getting a sort of an agent orange it’s
getting a sort of an agent orange it’s kind of a dioxide poisoning that affects
kind of a dioxide poisoning that affects
kind of a dioxide poisoning that affects his skin and paired up with his diabetes
his skin and paired up with his diabetes
his skin and paired up with his diabetes it’s caused him a lot of health problems
it’s caused him a lot of health problems
it’s caused him a lot of health problems and made it hard for him to walk so when
and made it hard for him to walk so when
and made it hard for him to walk so when I was thinking about the the first
I was thinking about the the first
I was thinking about the the first bridge that I would walk I knew that
bridge that I would walk I knew that
bridge that I would walk I knew that that bridge was going to be with my dad
that bridge was going to be with my dad
that bridge was going to be with my dad and it was going to be in the United
and it was going to be in the United
and it was going to be in the United States so I chose the Golden Gate Bridge
States so I chose the Golden Gate Bridge
States so I chose the Golden Gate Bridge and my dad lives in LA so I flew into LA
and my dad lives in LA so I flew into LA
and my dad lives in LA so I flew into LA and I picked my dad up and we took the
and I picked my dad up and we took the
and I picked my dad up and we took the big Trek all the way from LA to San
big Trek all the way from LA to San
big Trek all the way from LA to San Francisco and when we got there six and
Francisco and when we got there six and
Francisco and when we got there six and a half hours later I had that same
a half hours later I had that same
a half hours later I had that same feeling I’m standing on the bridge and
feeling I’m standing on the bridge and
feeling I’m standing on the bridge and there with my dad and I was like wow
there with my dad and I was like wow
there with my dad and I was like wow this bridge it’s so amazing and majestic
this bridge it’s so amazing and majestic
this bridge it’s so amazing and majestic and the funny thing kind of happened
and the funny thing kind of happened
and the funny thing kind of happened along the way my dad my dad in like the
along the way my dad my dad in like the
along the way my dad my dad in like the last 20 years has not really been that
last 20 years has not really been that
last 20 years has not really been that responsive to our family it’s it’s been
responsive to our family it’s it’s been
responsive to our family it’s it’s been a little bit of a rough relationship
a little bit of a rough relationship
a little bit of a rough relationship with me my sister and my brother and I
with me my sister and my brother and I
with me my sister and my brother and I found that spending that time with my
found that spending that time with my
found that spending that time with my dad on the drive up gave us this
dad on the drive up gave us this
dad on the drive up gave us this opportunity to have conversations that
opportunity to have conversations that
opportunity to have conversations that but we really never had so we’re driving
but we really never had so we’re driving
but we really never had so we’re driving up and we get there and we’re both
up and we get there and we’re both
up and we get there and we’re both pretty amazed now my dad also when I
pretty amazed now my dad also when I
pretty amazed now my dad also when I pulled up to his house he had a walker
pulled up to his house he had a walker
pulled up to his house he had a walker which I didn’t know about and so my dad
which I didn’t know about and so my dad
which I didn’t know about and so my dad gets out he has his Walker and I’m so
gets out he has his Walker and I’m so
gets out he has his Walker and I’m so excited I’m not even thinking about
excited I’m not even thinking about
excited I’m not even thinking about logistics like maybe taking some water
logistics like maybe taking some water
logistics like maybe taking some water to walk over the bridge or snack so
to walk over the bridge or snack so
to walk over the bridge or snack so maybe how the weather conditions are I’m
maybe how the weather conditions are I’m
maybe how the weather conditions are I’m just like let’s cross the bridge so we
just like let’s cross the bridge so we
just like let’s cross the bridge so we set out to walk over it and we’re going
set out to walk over it and we’re going
set out to walk over it and we’re going along and my dad’s just scooting on his
along and my dad’s just scooting on his
along and my dad’s just scooting on his Walker he’s just going really quick and
Walker he’s just going really quick and
Walker he’s just going really quick and we’re about halfway across and I’m like
we’re about halfway across and I’m like
we’re about halfway across and I’m like how long is this bridge I turn around
how long is this bridge I turn around
how long is this bridge I turn around and look and we’re you know it’s about
and look and we’re you know it’s about
and look and we’re you know it’s about the same distance back as it is forward
the same distance back as it is forward
the same distance back as it is forward and I realized that the bridge is over
and I realized that the bridge is over
and I realized that the bridge is over three miles roundtrip
three miles roundtrip
three miles roundtrip my dad’s starting to wear down a little
my dad’s starting to wear down a little
my dad’s starting to wear down a little bit by the time I got to the other side
bit by the time I got to the other side
bit by the time I got to the other side of the bridge my dad was completely
of the bridge my dad was completely
of the bridge my dad was completely dehydrated and we had no water so I
dehydrated and we had no water so I
dehydrated and we had no water so I asked him if he just wanted to turn
asked him if he just wanted to turn
asked him if he just wanted to turn around and go back and and he absolutely
around and go back and and he absolutely
around and go back and and he absolutely was like no way we came to walk a bridge
was like no way we came to walk a bridge
was like no way we came to walk a bridge or walking a bridge so we get to the
or walking a bridge so we get to the
or walking a bridge so we get to the other side of the bridge my dad is
other side of the bridge my dad is
other side of the bridge my dad is absolutely dehydrated and he says he’s
absolutely dehydrated and he says he’s
absolutely dehydrated and he says he’s gonna run to the restroom so while we’re
gonna run to the restroom so while we’re
gonna run to the restroom so while we’re in the parking lot I’m looking around
in the parking lot I’m looking around
in the parking lot I’m looking around and I’m asking people hey um can I get
and I’m asking people hey um can I get
and I’m asking people hey um can I get some water can I get some water I
some water can I get some water I
some water can I get some water I literally felt like a homeless person
literally felt like a homeless person
literally felt like a homeless person like begging for water and I finally
like begging for water and I finally
like begging for water and I finally come across this lady and I see that she
come across this lady and I see that she
come across this lady and I see that she has two kids in the car and I figured if
has two kids in the car and I figured if
has two kids in the car and I figured if anybody had water probably be her so I
anybody had water probably be her so I
anybody had water probably be her so I walk up to this lady and ask her for
walk up to this lady and ask her for
walk up to this lady and ask her for some some water and I say hey can I get
some some water and I say hey can I get
some some water and I say hey can I get some water and she goes like she looks
some water and she goes like she looks
some water and she goes like she looks at me like why why are you asking me for
at me like why why are you asking me for
at me like why why are you asking me for water and I was thinking oh she thinks
water and I was thinking oh she thinks
water and I was thinking oh she thinks it’s for me like if I’m just begging her
it’s for me like if I’m just begging her
it’s for me like if I’m just begging her for water and it couldn’t have been
for water and it couldn’t have been
for water and it couldn’t have been better timing I was like no it’s not for
better timing I was like no it’s not for
better timing I was like no it’s not for me it’s for my and then as soon as I
me it’s for my and then as soon as I
me it’s for my and then as soon as I pointed over to where my dad was he was
pointed over to where my dad was he was
pointed over to where my dad was he was coming out of the restroom and he just
coming out of the restroom and he just
coming out of the restroom and he just looked horrible his face was sunken in
looked horrible his face was sunken in
looked horrible his face was sunken in very dehydrated red and she was like oh
very dehydrated red and she was like oh
very dehydrated red and she was like oh my gosh she takes the water here take it
my gosh she takes the water here take it
my gosh she takes the water here take it and like are you sure and she’s like yes
and like are you sure and she’s like yes
and like are you sure and she’s like yes please
please
please I can I can drive and get more water so
I can I can drive and get more water so
I can I can drive and get more water so I give my dad the water and we’re
I give my dad the water and we’re
I give my dad the water and we’re hanging out and you know this thing that
hanging out and you know this thing that
hanging out and you know this thing that would have taken any other two people
would have taken any other two people
would have taken any other two people maybe you know an hour at most to walk
maybe you know an hour at most to walk
maybe you know an hour at most to walk all the way across and walk back took my
all the way across and walk back took my
all the way across and walk back took my dad and I a couple hours but
dad and I a couple hours but
dad and I a couple hours but what I realize along this way and along
what I realize along this way and along
what I realize along this way and along this journey is we we started having
this journey is we we started having
this journey is we we started having conversations that I just never thought
conversations that I just never thought
conversations that I just never thought we would engage in things about my
we would engage in things about my
we would engage in things about my childhood
childhood
childhood things that happened in our family and
things that happened in our family and
things that happened in our family and by the time we made it back across the
by the time we made it back across the
by the time we made it back across the bridge and we got in the car my dad said
bridge and we got in the car my dad said
bridge and we got in the car my dad said to me you know I think it would be
to me you know I think it would be
to me you know I think it would be really cool for our family could have a
really cool for our family could have a
really cool for our family could have a family call so I I couldn’t do it that
family call so I I couldn’t do it that
family call so I I couldn’t do it that weekend but I told him from the
weekend but I told him from the
weekend but I told him from the following weekend I could and we hopped
following weekend I could and we hopped
following weekend I could and we hopped on a call we all hopped on Skype and my
on a call we all hopped on Skype and my
on a call we all hopped on Skype and my dad actually got on the call and the
dad actually got on the call and the
dad actually got on the call and the first thing that he said to me my sister
first thing that he said to me my sister
first thing that he said to me my sister and my brother when we got on he said I
and my brother when we got on he said I
and my brother when we got on he said I just really want to apologize to you
just really want to apologize to you
just really want to apologize to you guys for how I’ve how I’ve been acting
guys for how I’ve how I’ve been acting
guys for how I’ve how I’ve been acting towards you I’m basically your whole
towards you I’m basically your whole
towards you I’m basically your whole life and he kind of went on to say that
life and he kind of went on to say that
life and he kind of went on to say that when my dad and my mom got divorced that
when my dad and my mom got divorced that
when my dad and my mom got divorced that he just he became really bitter and
he just he became really bitter and
he just he became really bitter and angry and he just feels like he took it
angry and he just feels like he took it
angry and he just feels like he took it out on us and and you know in the coming
out on us and and you know in the coming
out on us and and you know in the coming years it was really weird when I walked
years it was really weird when I walked
years it was really weird when I walked over the bridge and when I when I first
over the bridge and when I when I first
over the bridge and when I when I first had this idea to walk ten bridges with
had this idea to walk ten bridges with
had this idea to walk ten bridges with ten people that I loved I never actually
ten people that I loved I never actually
ten people that I loved I never actually thought I never actually thought what
thought I never actually thought what
thought I never actually thought what would come out of it it just was this
would come out of it it just was this
would come out of it it just was this idea that didn’t really mean anything I
idea that didn’t really mean anything I
idea that didn’t really mean anything I mean I come up with ideas all the time
mean I come up with ideas all the time
mean I come up with ideas all the time that’s what I do I’m a marketing person
that’s what I do I’m a marketing person
that’s what I do I’m a marketing person and I execute sometimes I execute on
and I execute sometimes I execute on
and I execute sometimes I execute on ideas and I don’t even know why I’m
ideas and I don’t even know why I’m
ideas and I don’t even know why I’m doing it I just like oh I have this idea
doing it I just like oh I have this idea
doing it I just like oh I have this idea I’m gonna do it I realize after I walked
I’m gonna do it I realize after I walked
I’m gonna do it I realize after I walked the bridge with my dad that something
the bridge with my dad that something
the bridge with my dad that something amazing happen and there was something
amazing happen and there was something
amazing happen and there was something so metaphorical from walking over this
so metaphorical from walking over this
so metaphorical from walking over this humongous bridge it’s like we started
humongous bridge it’s like we started
humongous bridge it’s like we started off on one side
off on one side
off on one side and we were able to cross over all of
and we were able to cross over all of
and we were able to cross over all of these things that had happened in our in
these things that had happened in our in
these things that had happened in our in our lives and and the conversation just
our lives and and the conversation just
our lives and and the conversation just kept going on as we were walking across
kept going on as we were walking across
kept going on as we were walking across and I felt like even you know
and I felt like even you know
and I felt like even you know metaphorically we left some things on
metaphorically we left some things on
metaphorically we left some things on the other side of the bridge and you
the other side of the bridge and you
the other side of the bridge and you know we didn’t we didn’t really bring
know we didn’t we didn’t really bring
know we didn’t we didn’t really bring them back we we just wanted to come back
them back we we just wanted to come back
them back we we just wanted to come back with a better you know better outlook
with a better you know better outlook
with a better you know better outlook better attitude and you know this was my
better attitude and you know this was my
better attitude and you know this was my first bridge and the second bridge that
first bridge and the second bridge that
first bridge and the second bridge that I decided to walk was with somebody that
I decided to walk was with somebody that
I decided to walk was with somebody that I was in a really close relationship
I was in a really close relationship
I was in a really close relationship with and we set out to walk over this
with and we set out to walk over this
with and we set out to walk over this bridge in Korea when we were walking
bridge in Korea when we were walking
bridge in Korea when we were walking over it I remember I remember the
over it I remember I remember the
over it I remember I remember the feeling that I had this is somebody that
feeling that I had this is somebody that
feeling that I had this is somebody that I was in a long-term relationship with
I was in a long-term relationship with
I was in a long-term relationship with that I thought I was going to marry and
that I thought I was going to marry and
that I thought I was going to marry and I remember when we were walking over the
I remember when we were walking over the
I remember when we were walking over the bridge I had that same feeling I I felt
bridge I had that same feeling I I felt
bridge I had that same feeling I I felt like we were on one side and as we were
like we were on one side and as we were
like we were on one side and as we were crossing we were having these
crossing we were having these
crossing we were having these conversations but this time as the
conversations but this time as the
conversations but this time as the conversations went on I realized that we
conversations went on I realized that we
conversations went on I realized that we had had deeper conversations than that
had had deeper conversations than that
had had deeper conversations than that deep conversations that we had never had
deep conversations that we had never had
deep conversations that we had never had before and as I was walking over I felt
before and as I was walking over I felt
before and as I was walking over I felt this like empty sad feeling and I and I
this like empty sad feeling and I and I
this like empty sad feeling and I and I knew deep down in my heart that this
knew deep down in my heart that this
knew deep down in my heart that this person really wasn’t right for me to
person really wasn’t right for me to
person really wasn’t right for me to marry so we walked over the bridge came
marry so we walked over the bridge came
marry so we walked over the bridge came back and about a month later I ended up
back and about a month later I ended up
back and about a month later I ended up calling off the relationship and in
calling off the relationship and in
calling off the relationship and in hindsight we became you know really good
hindsight we became you know really good
hindsight we became you know really good friends after and we just both kind of
friends after and we just both kind of
friends after and we just both kind of realized it it wasn’t the right thing so
realized it it wasn’t the right thing so
realized it it wasn’t the right thing so I started seeing this pattern with
I started seeing this pattern with
I started seeing this pattern with walking bridges with people that every
walking bridges with people that every
walking bridges with people that every time I walked a bridge with somebody
time I walked a bridge with somebody
time I walked a bridge with somebody something came out of it and it’s really
something came out of it and it’s really
something came out of it and it’s really hard to tell sometimes whether
hard to tell sometimes whether
hard to tell sometimes whether something’s good or something’s bad
something’s good or something’s bad
something’s good or something’s bad because you never know the consequences
because you never know the consequences
because you never know the consequences of either around that time one of my
of either around that time one of my
of either around that time one of my friends came up to me and said
friends came up to me and said
friends came up to me and said hey I see on Facebook and social media
hey I see on Facebook and social media
hey I see on Facebook and social media that you’ve been walking bridges with
that you’ve been walking bridges with
that you’ve been walking bridges with people and I and I think it’s really
people and I and I think it’s really
people and I and I think it’s really cool but how come I can’t be in your
cool but how come I can’t be in your
cool but how come I can’t be in your tent or you know what actually I don’t
tent or you know what actually I don’t
tent or you know what actually I don’t even have to be in your tent why can’t I
even have to be in your tent why can’t I
even have to be in your tent why can’t I be in your like tier two and I thought
be in your like tier two and I thought
be in your like tier two and I thought that was funny but and I and I said you
that was funny but and I and I said you
that was funny but and I and I said you know what that’s actually a good idea
know what that’s actually a good idea
know what that’s actually a good idea but I’m not gonna put anybody in a tier
but I’m not gonna put anybody in a tier
but I’m not gonna put anybody in a tier two so I then had this other idea that I
two so I then had this other idea that I
two so I then had this other idea that I would walk bridges with other people
would walk bridges with other people
would walk bridges with other people that I cared about and I just wouldn’t
that I cared about and I just wouldn’t
that I cared about and I just wouldn’t make it follow the same rules as the
make it follow the same rules as the
make it follow the same rules as the original ten of being in different
original ten of being in different
original ten of being in different countries and whatnot so shortly after I
countries and whatnot so shortly after I
countries and whatnot so shortly after I decided I was gonna do that I found
decided I was gonna do that I found
decided I was gonna do that I found myself in Toronto Canada I was there
myself in Toronto Canada I was there
myself in Toronto Canada I was there working for one of my clients and I had
working for one of my clients and I had
working for one of my clients and I had a day off and decided that I was gonna
a day off and decided that I was gonna
a day off and decided that I was gonna wha I was gonna trek and walk over to
wha I was gonna trek and walk over to
wha I was gonna trek and walk over to Niagara Falls and cross over and check
Niagara Falls and cross over and check
Niagara Falls and cross over and check it out from both the US and the Canada
it out from both the US and the Canada
it out from both the US and the Canada side and I ended up going to the bus and
side and I ended up going to the bus and
side and I ended up going to the bus and I’m waiting in line for the bust and
I’m waiting in line for the bust and
I’m waiting in line for the bust and Eiger Falls and this guy comes up and
Eiger Falls and this guy comes up and
Eiger Falls and this guy comes up and taps me on the shoulder and says hey is
taps me on the shoulder and says hey is
taps me on the shoulder and says hey is this the this the bus to go to Niagara
this the this the bus to go to Niagara
this the this the bus to go to Niagara Falls I turn around and I said well I
Falls I turn around and I said well I
Falls I turn around and I said well I hope so because that’s what I’m that’s
hope so because that’s what I’m that’s
hope so because that’s what I’m that’s what I’m trying to do this guy’s name
what I’m trying to do this guy’s name
what I’m trying to do this guy’s name was Pietro he was from Milano Italy and
was Pietro he was from Milano Italy and
was Pietro he was from Milano Italy and I’m half Italian so immediately we kind
I’m half Italian so immediately we kind
I’m half Italian so immediately we kind of like struck this conversation oh and
of like struck this conversation oh and
of like struck this conversation oh and also we were the only two people waiting
also we were the only two people waiting
also we were the only two people waiting in line that were like there by
in line that were like there by
in line that were like there by ourselves everybody else was there with
ourselves everybody else was there with
ourselves everybody else was there with family so we kind of struck this
family so we kind of struck this
family so we kind of struck this conversation and we found out we had so
conversation and we found out we had so
conversation and we found out we had so many things in common he worked for an
many things in common he worked for an
many things in common he worked for an ad agency
ad agency
ad agency I owned a marketing company you know he
I owned a marketing company you know he
I owned a marketing company you know he lived in Italy my family’s from Italy
lived in Italy my family’s from Italy
lived in Italy my family’s from Italy I’m half Italian
I’m half Italian
I’m half Italian but we also realized that you know as
but we also realized that you know as
but we also realized that you know as part of our conversation we realized
part of our conversation we realized
part of our conversation we realized that we had kind of a similar upbringing
that we had kind of a similar upbringing
that we had kind of a similar upbringing even though we were in two different
even though we were in two different
even though we were in two different countries so we ended up walking over
countries so we ended up walking over
countries so we ended up walking over Niagara Falls and hanging out over there
Niagara Falls and hanging out over there
Niagara Falls and hanging out over there and it hit me while I was with them that
and it hit me while I was with them that
and it hit me while I was with them that day I said you know what I should ask
day I said you know what I should ask
day I said you know what I should ask him if he wants to walk a bridge with me
him if he wants to walk a bridge with me
him if he wants to walk a bridge with me and even though he’s a total stranger I
and even though he’s a total stranger I
and even though he’s a total stranger I think it would be a really cool
think it would be a really cool
think it would be a really cool experience so I asked him I said hey you
experience so I asked him I said hey you
experience so I asked him I said hey you want to Malkovich’s me and he said yeah
want to Malkovich’s me and he said yeah
want to Malkovich’s me and he said yeah you know what that’s actually kind of a
you know what that’s actually kind of a
you know what that’s actually kind of a cool
cool
cool idea so we got up the next day we took
idea so we got up the next day we took
idea so we got up the next day we took an uber to this bridge and as we were
an uber to this bridge and as we were
an uber to this bridge and as we were walking across it
walking across it
walking across it another idea hit me I thought wow with
another idea hit me I thought wow with
another idea hit me I thought wow with the other two experiences that I’ve had
the other two experiences that I’ve had
the other two experiences that I’ve had on bridges why don’t I try to kind of
on bridges why don’t I try to kind of
on bridges why don’t I try to kind of intentionally replicate what I had done
intentionally replicate what I had done
intentionally replicate what I had done before so when we were about halfway
before so when we were about halfway
before so when we were about halfway across I said to Pietro you know what
across I said to Pietro you know what
across I said to Pietro you know what Pietro there’s something that happened
Pietro there’s something that happened
Pietro there’s something that happened to me when I was a young girl that I’ve
to me when I was a young girl that I’ve
to me when I was a young girl that I’ve like literally like maybe two people in
like literally like maybe two people in
like literally like maybe two people in the whole world know about I’ve really
the whole world know about I’ve really
the whole world know about I’ve really never told anybody and it was kind of a
never told anybody and it was kind of a
never told anybody and it was kind of a terrible thing and you know what I’m
terrible thing and you know what I’m
terrible thing and you know what I’m gonna tell you about it and what I
gonna tell you about it and what I
gonna tell you about it and what I really want to do is I kind of want to
really want to do is I kind of want to
really want to do is I kind of want to leave that memory and and all the pain
leave that memory and and all the pain
leave that memory and and all the pain and everything that went with that over
and everything that went with that over
and everything that went with that over on the other side now you don’t have to
on the other side now you don’t have to
on the other side now you don’t have to tell me anything I just I just feel like
tell me anything I just I just feel like
tell me anything I just I just feel like I want to do this and so he was like
I want to do this and so he was like
I want to do this and so he was like cool we got to the other side and
cool we got to the other side and
cool we got to the other side and telling him this the secret that I had
telling him this the secret that I had
telling him this the secret that I had and he was really awesome about it and
and he was really awesome about it and
and he was really awesome about it and we chatted a little bit and and then he
we chatted a little bit and and then he
we chatted a little bit and and then he said you know what I want to tell you
said you know what I want to tell you
said you know what I want to tell you something when I was 13 years old my
something when I was 13 years old my
something when I was 13 years old my brother died he died in a horrific car
brother died he died in a horrific car
brother died he died in a horrific car accident and at the time my parents
accident and at the time my parents
accident and at the time my parents really wanted me to go and view the body
really wanted me to go and view the body
really wanted me to go and view the body and I didn’t want to I didn’t I didn’t
and I didn’t want to I didn’t I didn’t
and I didn’t want to I didn’t I didn’t want to say my goodbyes and I spent the
want to say my goodbyes and I spent the
want to say my goodbyes and I spent the next eight years of my life regretting
next eight years of my life regretting
next eight years of my life regretting that decision so on my 21st birthday I
that decision so on my 21st birthday I
that decision so on my 21st birthday I ended up going I ended up going to his
ended up going I ended up going to his
ended up going I ended up going to his grave and and I and it promised my
grave and and I and it promised my
grave and and I and it promised my brother one thing see my brother always
brother one thing see my brother always
brother one thing see my brother always wanted to travel the world and he never
wanted to travel the world and he never
wanted to travel the world and he never got that opportunity and so I promised
got that opportunity and so I promised
got that opportunity and so I promised him from that day on that every day of
him from that day on that every day of
him from that day on that every day of my life I was going to live and do the
my life I was going to live and do the
my life I was going to live and do the things that he never got to do
things that he never got to do
things that he never got to do and it was really funny because I
and it was really funny because I
and it was really funny because I actually met him doing that thing he was
actually met him doing that thing he was
actually met him doing that thing he was traveling the world by himself for his
traveling the world by himself for his
traveling the world by himself for his brother oh my gosh it touched me in such
brother oh my gosh it touched me in such
brother oh my gosh it touched me in such a way I couldn’t explain it and I felt
a way I couldn’t explain it and I felt
a way I couldn’t explain it and I felt like I had known Pietro my entire life
like I had known Pietro my entire life
like I had known Pietro my entire life so we left that day and I asked him I
so we left that day and I asked him I
so we left that day and I asked him I said hey if you ever travel your way all
said hey if you ever travel your way all
said hey if you ever travel your way all the way to Portland Oregon in the United
the way to Portland Oregon in the United
the way to Portland Oregon in the United States please come see me and he
States please come see me and he
States please come see me and he promised you know that if he did he
promised you know that if he did he
promised you know that if he did he would about six months later I get a
would about six months later I get a
would about six months later I get a message from Pietro on Facebook saying
message from Pietro on Facebook saying
message from Pietro on Facebook saying hey I’m coming to Portland he ended up
hey I’m coming to Portland he ended up
hey I’m coming to Portland he ended up coming to Portland and we walked a
coming to Portland and we walked a
coming to Portland and we walked a bridge in Portland and the last thing
bridge in Portland and the last thing
bridge in Portland and the last thing that we did before he left Portland was
that we did before he left Portland was
that we did before he left Portland was we promised each other that that through
we promised each other that that through
we promised each other that that through this experience that we had in Toronto
this experience that we had in Toronto
this experience that we had in Toronto and in the six months that we got to
and in the six months that we got to
and in the six months that we got to know each other over social media I mean
know each other over social media I mean
know each other over social media I mean honestly we had only spent maybe a
honestly we had only spent maybe a
honestly we had only spent maybe a couple hours together personally we
couple hours together personally we
couple hours together personally we promised each other that what we were
promised each other that what we were
promised each other that what we were going to do is we were going to walk ten
going to do is we were going to walk ten
going to do is we were going to walk ten more bridges with strangers
more bridges with strangers
more bridges with strangers intentionally walk them with strangers
intentionally walk them with strangers
intentionally walk them with strangers and then a year later we were going to
and then a year later we were going to
and then a year later we were going to walk a third bridge together so that’s
walk a third bridge together so that’s
walk a third bridge together so that’s kind of what I’m in the middle of right
kind of what I’m in the middle of right
kind of what I’m in the middle of right now I’ve walked now with two other
now I’ve walked now with two other
now I’ve walked now with two other strangers and every time I walk the
strangers and every time I walk the
strangers and every time I walk the bridge I try to intentionally have a
bridge I try to intentionally have a
bridge I try to intentionally have a conversation with them maybe it’s
conversation with them maybe it’s
conversation with them maybe it’s something I’m feeling at the moment like
something I’m feeling at the moment like
something I’m feeling at the moment like I need to get over or it’s something I
I need to get over or it’s something I
I need to get over or it’s something I need to get off my chest or sometimes
need to get off my chest or sometimes
need to get off my chest or sometimes this I feel like I’m just being an ear
this I feel like I’m just being an ear
this I feel like I’m just being an ear for something that they’re going through
for something that they’re going through
for something that they’re going through and with each situation it’s been this
and with each situation it’s been this
and with each situation it’s been this incredible connection this incredible
incredible connection this incredible
incredible connection this incredible connection that I never would have
connection that I never would have
connection that I never would have gotten if I wouldn’t have intentionally
gotten if I wouldn’t have intentionally
gotten if I wouldn’t have intentionally set out to walk a bridge and have this
set out to walk a bridge and have this
set out to walk a bridge and have this bridge conversation with people so what
bridge conversation with people so what
bridge conversation with people so what I really want what I really want to do
I really want what I really want to do
I really want what I really want to do is inspire people to do a movement of
is inspire people to do a movement of
is inspire people to do a movement of walking bridges trying to bridge
walking bridges trying to bridge
walking bridges trying to bridge anywhere it doesn’t matter it can be a
anywhere it doesn’t matter it can be a
anywhere it doesn’t matter it can be a little you know pedestrian footbridge
little you know pedestrian footbridge
little you know pedestrian footbridge it’s really just the metaphorical
it’s really just the metaphorical
it’s really just the metaphorical representation of intentionally taking a
representation of intentionally taking a
representation of intentionally taking a relationship that you have whether it be
relationship that you have whether it be
relationship that you have whether it be bleeped stranger or somebody that you
bleeped stranger or somebody that you
bleeped stranger or somebody that you know and you love and and maybe it’s to
know and you love and and maybe it’s to
know and you love and and maybe it’s to repair their relationship maybe it’s to
repair their relationship maybe it’s to
repair their relationship maybe it’s to talk about something that needs to be
talk about something that needs to be
talk about something that needs to be talked about but I would encourage you
talked about but I would encourage you
talked about but I would encourage you to to find your own bridge and and walk
to to find your own bridge and and walk
to to find your own bridge and and walk with somebody if you do I I think what
with somebody if you do I I think what
with somebody if you do I I think what you’ll find is that you’ll bridge more
you’ll find is that you’ll bridge more
you’ll find is that you’ll bridge more than just the gap in the distance that
than just the gap in the distance that
than just the gap in the distance that you physically watch you’ll bridge that
you physically watch you’ll bridge that
you physically watch you’ll bridge that same gap and distance in your life and
same gap and distance in your life and
same gap and distance in your life and in your relationships so go find your
in your relationships so go find your
in your relationships so go find your bridge and go walk it
”
Be First to Comment