Dear Friends ,As Connect celebrates ten wonderful years, I’d like to share a humble ode of gratitude to the platform and to every Local Guide who made My first year such a meaningful journey.
AN ODE TO C O N N E C T
I came to Connect a tiny little dot,
With questions aplenty and answers not.
No grand achievements, no dazzling fame,
Just hope in my heart and a curious flame.
I was a dot in a galaxy wide,
Filled with wonder more than pride.
Quietly learning day by day,
Watching Local Guides light the way.
Your kindness became my guiding star,
Showing me how to travel far.
Your words encouraged, your stories inspired,
Lifting my dreams higher and higher.
@ErmesT Accessibility story touched my heart 
Showing where compassion starts.
It taught me to truly see,
That every journey should include “WE”
Sustainability lit a flame,
Giving my own initiative a name.
My reviews found purpose, my voice found grace,
Watching the finest minds in this place.
Each post I read, each meet-up I knew,
Made me a better Local Guide because of you.
Across virtual screens and handshakes warm,
Friendships blossomed beyond the norm.
Every global story I had the chance to hear
Made me humbler in less than a year.
Your reviews taught me how to grow,
Your inspiring stories helped me know
That every contribution, big or small,
Can make a difference after all.
Challenges turned into joyful surprise,
@MerlinThomas fridge magnet initiative opened my eyes.
Hearing my name among winners that day
Filled my heart in the simplest way.
Then dreams unfolded one by one
Connect Live invite came… not once, but twice
Meeting Googler’s was pure delight
@Latika_Malhotra @TinaWill @KevinKwok @David_K @Kristen_NYC
what a sight…
Filled my journey with warmth and light 
@FalguniP’s “She Leads” opened another door,
Introducing friendships worth so much more
@Kumaarsantosh led me to TRAC’s embrace,
Where @SholaIB & @MarcoDavoli shared Maps with grace.
Through @Cecilita’s TracHers with @Supriyadevkar and friends,
I learnt that road mapping is where every journey begins 
Spotlight let my Sikkim colab shine,
Temi Tea Garden, a treasure of mine.
Thanks to @AdrianLunsong @curatorofmemory too 
For believing in stories worth sharing with you.
Sharing Connect Live journey in 10th year LG celebration became another delight,
Standing with @AjitThite felt perfectly right.
One memory among many I’ll treasure forever,
A reminder that journeys connect us together 
Delhi taught me teamwork’s art,
With wonderful Guides who gave their heart.
@ShreyaMusings @Ssiddharth2000 @Enkay & @The_GauravS too
Working together felt fresh and new 
Then Kochi welcomed me like family dear,
Creating memories I’ll always hold near.
The laughter, the warmth, the moments we shared
@TravellerG @Gurukrishnapriya @SarathUpendran & @Rahul001 ,
Made @Manishhh & me deeply cared
Connect is more than posts we write,
More than badges shining bright.
It is friendship, learning, hope and trust,
A place where kindness is simply a must.
I’m still a dot, with much to learn,
Many more pages yet to turn.
I stand here today with gratitude deep,
For the promises this community keep.
If I’ve grown at all, if my light shines through,
It is because I first learnt from you 
From one small dot to a star above,
My Connect journey is written with love
Thank you, Connect.
Thank you, Local Guides.
And thank you… for helping me become Who I am
Happy Birthday Connect
This ode is also in reference to the initiative call out by @NareshDarji’s #MyConnectCaravan
and ErMest’s ( 🔟 #LGConnectTurns10: Celebrating 10 Years in our Global Village! ?
with special Thanks to @KashifMisidia for the tag
(PS: Many photos has been used from Shared Album with thanks )
Warm regards
@SonamW
Am also happy to have met you.
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on everything you have accomplished so far. Wishing you many more milestones, greater heights, and continued success in the journey ahead. Keep inspiring, keep contributing, and keep shining. Go onnnnnnnn!