My story on becoming a diamond life master is this. I learned bridge on my first husband’s couch in the early ’90s while we were graduate students. After I finished my law school studies, I clerked for a year in Anchorage, Alaska where I grew up. My mother there informed me that I needed a “hobby” and that she had enrolled me in further bridge lessons. I played bridge throughout the year with the lawyers and judges in the community. I returned to the Bay area while my husband continued his studies. In my spare time, I played at the local Piedmont Bridge Club, where Mike Lawrence was a fixture. Eventually, Mike & I became friends. We developed a side bet on arcane things where the loser would have to buy cocoa next door for the winner (I typically lost these bets, however, one time Mike graciously gave me a full set of all of the books he had written — which enormously improved my game). I went back to Alaska for a big trial, but ended up staying there for the next 30 years. My husband and I divorced and bridge was a huge salve for my wounded heart. I played with friends like Terry Schleppegrell — we played a few times in the Mini Blue Ribbon and came in 2d one time. And I met my current husband, Ed Rais, at the Anchorage Bridge Club some 25 years ago. We have traveled the world together playing bridge (France, Spain, Australia, Israel, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and Chile). In 2018, Ed and I won a national title with Doug Scott and Tom Ottley (also from Anchorage) – the 10,000 Swiss Team event in Honolulu, HI. When I recently became a Diamond Life Master, Ed learned about it and surprised me at our local Medford club with a stunning diamond and tanzanite necklace (pictured). So, I will say that bridge can sometimes be exasperating and challenging, but I’ve had the most magical and fun time. My plan is to keep going.