This one is super special with a super shout out to the drummer for one of the greatest forever bands, CHICAGO and his super lovely wife! I love you both!!!
Kirsten de los Reyes
Walfredo Reyes Jr.
“Wow! I could easily stop here, however, never being one with a lack of words, I won't. Just over a year ago you walked through our door for an "interview" with my soon to be husband. You didn’t arrive with a list of questions, a pen, a paper, or even a recorder. After a few pleasantries and a quick hug, I went to work in the other room while you and Wally sat at the kitchen island. After a few minutes, I quickly realized this was not an interview, this was a connection between two very dynamic people. I have no idea what your first question was but it slowly dawned on me that it took Wally more than 90 minutes to answer that one question. It was in that moment I also decided I was finished working for the day. I wanted to sit quietly and listen to a special connection that seamlessly went on for almost 6 hours. It was a blessing to listen to the two of you share life experiences. You both easily brought each other into your individual worlds only to realize you shared the same world. A world we should all share. A world filled with empathy, compassion, dedication, and most importantly, a world filled with passion. While you two sat in the kitchen, you asked Wally one specific question, "while you have played in front of millions of people, is there any intimacy with the crowd, is there any romance?" After a brief pause between the two of you, I knew what story was coming next. As I listened to Wally tell my favorite story, I sat quietly as I felt one small tear roll down my face, a tear that presents itself every time I hear the story. (I did peek around the corner to notice we all had the same matching tear on our cheeks.) In your book, you refer to it as the "empty seat" story. I am so grateful for how you beautifully captured one of Wally's most cherished experiences with an audience member and shared that story with the world in your book. It's the perfect blend of a time-honored Chicago ballad with an extraordinary and very personal experience, you beautifully coloured a life-long story about love and painted it with love. Wally appreciates the millions of untold stories that are never told. This is why Wally prepares for and performs at his best every single show. Looking back over the year since your visit, I think Wally got more out of that conversation and connection than you did. Wally and I still talk about your visit! Jerry, you captured the beauty of the man I cherish and now fondly and lovingly call my husband. I love and adore you Wally Reyes. Jr! Jerry, I appreciate you as well as your vision and absolutely love your book! You not only captured the love Wally has for his craft, his music, his passion; you also captured the love he has for his bandmates, his family, and for me. But most importantly you captured the love he has for himself. While the title may indicate how to live "Intentionally Well," I think you wrote the perfect love story, the love of oneself!”
"You captured the love Wally has for his craft, his music, his passion..."