While vacationing in Belize three years back, I got a message from an old colleague Patrick Butler – who at that moment was in Nepal that I should go meet his old friend Giovanni – who was a bar owner there and ask him to make his special cocktail. So, Sharmila and I took a 50 minute golf cart ride to reach this much-advertised beach – ironically called Secret Beach.

While minding our own business in the waters there, we noticed an young couple nearby. To give them some space, we started moving away. We did not go far. The gentleman called us and asked if we could take a video of them dancing. To which we readily obliged.

Of course, a call to take a photo or video in Rajib-speak translates to a life time of friendship! We got to know Sara Marie and Lee and their fascinating journey that evening. And ever since, we have kept up thru birthdays.

Lee’s is an incredible life story of pain and ultimate triumph of happiness. I am a big follower of his writings in Facebook and Linkedin. I have never – literally never – seen anybody that matches his gracious attitude and magnanimity!

I got an interesting request from Sara Marie today (it is Lee’s birthday today). Apparently Lee is a very difficult person to find a gift for. So, she did something very personal. She wrote up about him in her own words.

And reached out to me to see if I could publish it in my blog!!

If you go to the Guest Writer section of my blog, you will see this heartfelt piece from her… https://www.rajibroy.com/2025/08/04/from-orphaned-in-korea-to-lighting-up-the-world/

It is Lee’s birthday!

And Sara Marie’s gift!!

But I was asked to put it in my blog!!

I assert I am the happiest of them all today!!!

Sara Marie and Lee, we are incredibly lucky that such a chance meeting happened to us. We got to know two very special people!!