Good morning, #PyConUS friends. I leave early Monday morning, and if you are attending this year and we haven’t met yet or run into each other, please reach out, and let’s say hello in person. 

I met someone last night after midnight whom I have known online for over a decade for the first time because my keycard didn’t work in the haunted hotel I’m staying at. I took this as a sign to say hello to the group of people in the lobby because I was back downstairs anyway. Who am I to argue with ghosts? 

My last PyCon US was five years ago, and I don’t want to assume we can catch up next year. One pandemic, two virtual conferences, and two family emergencies later, and it took me five years to make it back. So, I no longer take meeting people at conferences for granted because it took five years for me to get back here.  

Whether we are old friends, online friends, or haven’t met to become friends, I’d love to meet today at PyCon US, even if you are shy.