It’s Valentine’s Day today.
A day – as I’ve often written about – that has more to do with fear than love.
But today it’s different. Today it truly lives up to the hype and clichés, because I get reunited with someone I truly love …
Nick fucking Finney.
Now I appreciate many of you won’t know who that is. Hell, most of you won’t even care who it is. But to me, he’s very special.
We’ve not seen each other for a long time … not since I lived in LA … but our story goes much further back than that, to Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai.
Now you may think this is going to be a post about the work we did together – and I understand why you’d think that, because we did make a bunch of good stuff with each other. Or you may think it revolves around the life we had in China – which I’d also understand because it was an amazing adventure. But the reality is it’s neither of those things – not really. You see my relationship with Nick was/is quite different to any relationship I have ever had or currently have with any creative … and it’s that unique bond – and the experiences that came from it – that has not only given him a special place in my heart, but explains why I’m so happy to be spending my Valentine’s Day with him.
“So, what is this unique bond and relationship?” I hear you cry?
Well, while I could write loads about it, I think these 2 posts from 2015 explain it best.
Number 1: also known as ‘The Pasta Poodle Pitch’.
Number 2: also known as ‘Fuck Me, It’s Kenny G’.
Have you clicked on them?
Both of them?
Hell, you don’t even have to read the bloody things as the pictures tell most of the story.
Anyway, while I acknowledge these links may suggest my bond with Nick is based on bullying or even exploitation [even though if there’s any victim of exploitation, it’s me given he convinced me to pay for all the ridiculousness] I prefer to believe – and have been advised by my lawyer to say – that our connection is based on immaturity.
Nothing proves my case more than the email he sent me explaining why he is coming to NZ:
So while I may be a Valentine’s Day curmudgeon, getting to spend today with:
An old mate …
Who you share a history of stupidity with …
Who is here to attend a Lord of the Rings themed wedding …
Where they will be dressed up as a wizard in their role as groomsman …
… means I’ve never believed in its power to radiate love like I do right now.
They say love works in mysterious ways.
They also say love is blind.
Well today, I’m going to prove to the world, both those statements are right.
Happy V-Day to all of you, whoever … or whatever … you do. Or don’t.