First of all, let me say that I’ve never been to my high school reunion, not even the 50th anniversary reunion in 2021. I was sort of the invisible man at Fort Smith’s Southside High School.
So, it’s not like anyone is missing me.
Plus, my favorite teachers are now deceased. I loved you, Judy Massey and Tom Oliver.
I’m not so big on family reunions, either, although I’m not sure why. Maybe, it’s because you have to listen to your Crazy Uncle yammer on about what’s wrong with the world?
But there is a reunion that warms my heart every time. It’s the impromptu reunion of unexpectedly running into an old colleague or friend from your past life. It can set off shouts of joy and hugs all around.
That’s exactly what happened this week at the Journal Record’s event that honored Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs and Financial Stewards. My friend and boss, Steve Buck, President/CEO of Care Providers Oklahoma, was one of those honored at the event.
Anyway, as I was watching the honorees take the stage for a brief moment in the spotlight, I noticed a couple of photographers who were recording the event.
Although his back was to me the entire time, I recognized one of the photographers as Rip Stell, whom I knew from my tenure at i2E, Inc., here in OKC. I couldn’t miss him because he was taller than the other photographer and wearing his signature black shirt.
So, after Steve and all the other CEOs had been honored, I saw Rip sitting at a table not too far from where the Care Providers Oklahoma team was seated.
I jumped up and began walking toward Rip when he saw me and quickly jumped up himself. Rip gave me a big bear hug and then gave me a photographer’s pose with his camera to his eye while I shot my usual bad iPhone pic.
We had only a few seconds to chat, but it was a grand reunion.
Rip lives in Tulsa and was shooting this event on a contract. Over the years, he shot many Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup (now called Entrepreneur’s Cup Sponsored by Love’s Travel Stops) business plan competitions that I worked on behalf of i2E.
The Love’s Cup was sort of a rapid-fire event, which required Rip to be ready for group and individual shots one after the other. His photos were outstanding year after year, with an eye for both the posed and the candid shot.
You can check out his work at Ripstell.com.
After sharing a moment, I quickly went back to the CPO table.
However, the Rip Stell reunion made my night. I’m so happy for the random encounter, Rip.
May fate bring us together again.
Jim Stafford's BlogOKC 