[seesaw]

Okay, so I'm trying to develop this relationship appropriately.

My client flew me out to her city to plan out a year of work together. It was great. At the end of the visit we talked about whether or not I was interested in actually moving there and coming on staff. We have talked about this a few times. I have expressed interest. At the end of the visit, I confirmed that I would very much like to do move out there and join the staff, but I'm in no position to do so, at least for 6 months, and I said it has to do with personal matters, trying to just be professional and not lay my personal stuff on her.

Now, she's a social psychologist, and she is VERY good at reading people. (And she's very much a good person herself. Demanding, but a good person.) So, she knows a bit of my work history, and she asked simply, and said I didn't have to answer, but did it have to do with my health. And I felt comfortable saying yes, it did have to do with my health. That I'd really just gotten as stable a I had been in a long time, and I needed time to let that stability become the normal for me.

She was very impressed with me and said that she would have never guessed that I was dealing with PTSD and GAD, that I handled the stress and visit and the workload better than "normal" people she tries to work with. And I thanked her for the compliment and said that I have built into place a lot of self care and coping to help me deal with it all successfully. I think she saw my journey and emotional maturity as a real strength and asset.

So she was like, so I am happy to continue to be a client until you can move out here and we can play it by ear, etc.

Anyways, so the visit went super well, she just had nothing but praise for me and very excited to have me working with her full time for the coming year.

Here is my question. First of all, she has been very generous and kind to me. Sent me chocolates on Valentine's Day because we had just finished a huge project together and we had just started working together and she couldn't believe that we had actually finished it before the deadline (in 10 days since we first met). Also, when I came to visit, she paid for everything, the flight, hotel, meals, etc. And she sent a lovely gift basket to the hotel.

On top of that, we did spend some after hours time together, and while it's still a boss/client relationship, we are developing a sort of collegial friendship too.

So, what do I do, besides being the absolutely stellar, awesome consultant that I am and doing great work, to say thank you for being such a great host and client? Is there something I can send her?

Seesaw

[divine1966]

Certainly thank you card but maybe something rise that is local for your area? Particular kind of sweets or something? Yes I’d send a small gift

[it'sgrowtime]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Certainly thank you card but maybe something rise that is local for your area? Particular kind of sweets or something? Yes I’d send a small gift

That’s what I was thinking, too..a gift from where you live now, and a message acknowledging your appreciation of the business relationship.

[Crazy Hitch]

I wouldn't go overboard with a gift. It's the sentiments behind it that she would really appreciate, just the fact that you thought of saying thank you. And words can go a long way - expressing your gratitude in something like a card will work wonders too.

[seesaw]

God I can't think of what our city might be known for except our stupid NFL team. Okay, I know someone who is totally gung-ho on n our city, so I'll ask her for what I should send.