Building relationships

I allowed myself to sleep in this morning... I could just leave it at that, but there is a reason. I stayed up late giving a massage. That doesn't sound so special, but the fact is a long-time client from my Arlington days was driving through and had to stop in. It says something about the relationship we have built.
I have some clients that have truly become friends. What a blessing! One client even calls me his best friend. I'm not sure if that's really

true, but he does know me better than any of my partners ever have. I thought the connection was that our birthdays were in the same month and mine is the 31st and his the 13th. I remember joking with him that we were numerologically the same person (excluding the year).
He was a loyal client that would drive across the metroplex weekly and randomly bring my favorite flowers (and green roses are difficult to find). I don't expect every client to bring roses... That would be asking way too much. It is nice to see that I have been there for someone,as a good therapist should be, and he actively appreciates it.
I think in this fast-paced world we forget the niceties of communicating and connecting. We text because we don't want to talk. We email and expect immediate answers. We ask questions and fill in our own answers rather than listening to the person we are asking.
It makes a difference when someone shows you they are paying attention.Have you seen Avatar? Have you heard Oprah's new commercials? They carry the same message. Let someone know you see them, you hear what they are saying and what they are saying does matter. That's when the relationship is built.
I write so that you will have a better idea of who I am and if that mixes well with you, then you will want me as your massage therapist. Personally, I wouldn't go to someone I had not spoken to and gotten some idea of who they are as a person. For me, it's not about who takes the best picture, it's about who is coming from the heart.   
I appreciate those clients that have been with me so far along this journey and the new ones I am meting here. A wise woman told me when I was in massage school, "If you do what you love and do it well, your clients will find you." I have been found by some amazingly loyal and generous people. The fact that I have been able to connect with these people is heart warming and life-affirming.
I'm grateful for this adventure and what it offers.
Love, peace & happiness,
Paulmarq