I’m not sure even where to start. I sat in RTP where I met my good friend Donald Fisher to take the CCIE R&S lab exam for the last time. I remember hanging in the kitchenette with Don after we were done and we both looked exhausted, nervous and optimistic about our performance in the lab exam. I was clutching to all the hopes and dreams that ran through my mind until I heard my good friend David L Blair ask “So do you want to know if you passed?” My heart sank and I wasn’t sure if I could take any bad news, as this wasn’t my first attempt. David disappeared for what seemed like hours and came back and asked if I had another $1500 bucks. I was starting to get bummed out and was facing having to go back and study again. Not knowing what even to focus on to improve. Then, David put out his hand for a handshake! I picked that man up in a big hug because I was so excited!!! My wife Jamie had traveled with me and went sight seeing and shopping while I was in the exam. Jamie was outside waiting for me when I was done and David said “Let’s go tell your wife!” David and I walked up to her and I said “How’s 38759 sound?” Jamie ran up and jumped on me and wrapped me up in the biggest hug! Legs and all! Since that day my entire world changed. Just some of things that have happened since getting my CCIE are listed here but they are not in order and nowhere near complete. ;) I joined Cisco (which was my dream since I was about 17 years old), wrote multiple books for Cisco Press, started delivering CCNP/CCIE training classes for Pearson / O'Reilly Media, became a dual CCIE, presented webinars for Learning@Cisco, hit Sales Champion twice, went to Chairman’s Club, attended Cisco Live for the first time, became a Cisco Live speaker, then became a three time Cisco Live Distingushed Speaker, helped create some of the most sophisticated networks in the world, mentored some of the most amazing engineers in the industry, became a Technical Evangelist for the most awesome team, created MetalDevOps 🤟🏼, traveled the world 🌎 and made the best friends and colleagues. Now I’m creating the next Official Cisco Certified Network Associate 200-301 Video Course for Pearson and am going to be co-authoring the next Cisco Press CCNA Official Certification Guide alongside of none other than my friend Wendell Odom. There is a lot of talk out there about if the CCIE is still worth it. I think so. Congratulations Don aka #38758!!! Thank you to everyone who has helped me over the years!!! Much too big of a list to type and tag everyone but, I am confident everyone knows who you are already. 🙏🙏🙏 #CCNA #CCNP #CCIE #10Years #InvolveAndEvolve