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I'm totally late on this, but hope you had the best 50th! We'll need to do this in person in 2021. Happy Happy Birthday B
EFG

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B! Congratulations and a whole firework show of love ❤️ 🎈(putting a balloon because I can't stick glitter on here). Scrolling through just a fraction of other posts I find it overwhelming how deeply embedded you are in decades of memories - a particular gesture or expression you have in photos I've never seen hits me as something I know by heart! How lucky I am and we all are to have you as a friend. I see most of my fave college pix already posted by Matt, and when I think of later ones the very first subject that comes to mind is the weekly meetings we had with these guys when they were new. I 💕 U! Annie

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B! Congratulations and a whole firework show of love ❤️ 🎈(putting a balloon because I can't stick glitter on here). Scrolling through just a fraction of other posts I find it overwhelming how deeply embedded you are in decades of memories - a particular gesture or expression you have in photos I've never seen hits me as something I know by heart! How lucky I am and we all are to have you as a friend. I see most of my fave college pix already posted by Matt, and when I think of later ones the very first subject that comes to mind is the weekly meetings we had with these guys when they were new. I 💕 U! Annie

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Friday evening and I’m about to turn this over to the birthday lass.  What a wonderful testament to the friendships new and old that you’ve formed over the past 50 years.  Thanks so much to everyone for their heartfelt posts!

I feel so very fortunate that we have known each other and been together for over half our lives.  There’s so much in these images and words so much laughter, so much joy, so many photos taken by BPT, so much fun!  What a wild ride and here’s wishing lots more to come.

My hope is to add a few more items here (because something like this is never really done) and maybe print it out in some form, but for now, here is is.  The work of more than 50 of us for your 50th Birthday.

Much love,

Your M

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Including Napa with Jane and Scott and a meet up with Meredith.

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And trip out to Montauk

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Lots of weddings back in those days.  I think this is 2001.

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Sending you love and hugs from CA! How we miss hanging in Brooklyn with y’all. Kudos to Matt for setting this up and sharing snippets of your life so far! Love, Susan, Jim, Frankie, and Max

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I have to say you picked one of the good ones with your groom Matt, who has been gently hounding me (and everyone else) to post here in time to celebrate. :-) Cheers to you both! I'm so glad for the childhood times we had together. It just so happened you were among the young ones of the group, by happenstance of birth order. I remember being a kid and Eric telling us at one of the parties at his home that he got permission to play a R-rated movie and that you, Laura, Edgar and I would be allowed to watch, but the younger kids like my sister had to stay upstairs and be happily oblivious to the movie playing downstairs. Such laugh-out-loud times! I'm also so glad we managed to see more of each other, as bona fide adults, during those years when you & Matt were busy LA westside folks who still found time to host dinner parties where I would get to meet and mingle with such a fun and worldly circle of friends. Back in 2019 I had the opportunity to lunch with Edgar, and he brought me up to speed about 'Mind of State'. It was exciting news and I subscribed to the podcast and listened that evening while prepping dinner. When I heard you, I exclaimed to Amy, "Holy cow! When did Betty get that deep deep radio voice!?!" You have picked up quite the toolkit of skills since our childhood days, and I'm sure you bring it all into play each day in your family, social and professional life. Looking forward to a time we can have a meal together again (a Brooklyn pizza pie sounds really good right now) and reel out all the different perspectives we've caught on our journey through the decades. You are a friend and a sister to me forever. Have a wonderful birthday, week, month and year ahead! - Marle

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BETTY....Mandy once produced a musical called “Betty Rules.”  And every time I heard the title, I was, like, “she does!” Of all of my longtime friends - and we’ve been friends for over 30 years, you’ve sported the most fascinating dichotomy of consistency - of character, humor, loyalty - and evolution - in terms of interests and achievement. It’s been fascinating to watch that journey. I know this is a milestone birthday, but I kind of refuse to believe it - many people are old souls from day one, but you’re a “young soul.”  Wishing much love, Matt 

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BETTY....Mandy once produced a musical called “Betty Rules.”  And every time I heard the title, I was, like, “she does!” Of all of my longtime friends - and we’ve been friends for over 30 years, you’ve sported the most fascinating dichotomy of consistency - of character, humor, loyalty - and evolution - in terms of interests and achievement. It’s been fascinating to watch that journey. I know this is a milestone birthday, but I kind of refuse to believe it - many people are old souls from day one, but you’re a “young soul.”  Wishing much love, Matt 

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And equally (if not more) blessed is our next generation!

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And equally (if not more) blessed is our next generation!

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You were at work (I think) and I’m not sure why Sabrina isn’t in this photo...

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Here’s a lovely moment between you, Matt, and Hu Ze Ming before our wedding began!

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The photo I took as I packed up my parents’ house for potential evacuation this year.

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My first dear Yale friend, whom I met after Yale...

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My first dear Yale friend, whom I met after Yale...

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Whim 1994 world tour - and that’s how I met the fabulous Betty in Taiwan. How did we become such fast and immediate friends?!?! Because it was meant to be. And then Matt and I worked together at Augustini whilst you planned your wedding. Hilarious to think I knew more about your wedding plans from Matt than you. My first gigs as a producer, my job at Sundance, my stint at explaining to Matt to stop trying to solve your problems (why do you have to call Cathy?!?! - Matt) - all because of you. Hello Kitty, glitter, karaoke queen, dancing buddy, cooking in your Westwood apartments, NYC karaoke, more eating and cooking. Madam Betty - you’re the friend of a lifetime. May you spread even more Betty laughter and joy in the next 50. Love you to pieces - cathykim

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Here’s a great photo of Ming Ming keeping us entertained at our wedding!

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Betty remember that outfit?! -sesh

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My wish for you is that the upcoming year is full of joy and happiness. You deserve it! ♥️  Miss you and (all of the fellas)always. Love, Seshie

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Thinking about what to post led me to reminisce and look through lots of old pictures. There are, of course, so many stories I could recount, but I thought I’d share two themes that emerged.

First, I want to tell you that I’m grateful for you and our friendship, both of which helped shape me as a person as we came of age together. Our joint love of analyzing people and situations, our general curiosity about life and the world, and our shared inclination to resist conformity led to countless hours of discussions, mostly on the phone, as we etched and defined ourselves as people. Regardless of how in touch we’ve been at different times of our lives, the bond of our shared past makes us family, ever connected.

Second, I believe the heart of our connection is that we are both artists. Your creative spirit is irrepressible and is present is all that you do. When we first met, it was more under the radar, but nevertheless, unmistakable. I have enjoyed exchanging with you around our artistic perspectives while happily experiencing your artistic voice become clearer and stronger. You know I’m a huge fan of your films. And I’m excited to see your current projects evolve with your trademark unique creative take...and I look forward to what you might do next!

As I mentioned, I looked through lots of pictures and could have included many, but settled on this set from your wedding shower and day. I like the way they capture the love, joy, and reciprocity of our friendship - partners-in-crime taking on life. The funniest thing to me is that in the limo shot...we look alike. How can that be? I bet our 23andMe DNA results would show little common ancestry. And yet, our expressions shine brightly with striking similarity, reflecting our affinity and familiarity.

I am ever appreciative for what you have brought to my life. You have always enabled me to see the world in new ways. I send love to you on this landmark birthday,
Laura

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Wedding guest AND photographer.  And of course a glancing shot of Betty getting down on the dance floor.  Betty is remembered by many for her dance moves at their wedding!

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Interior shots of our apartment on Pierrepont, including Betty’s writing desk and her production boards for Maestro, Maestro.

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One of the things I always loved when my daughters were little, was getting to spend time with them and their friends -- they needed chaperoning and chauffeuring, after all...

But once they got older, got their drivers'  licenses and didn't need me to take them to the mall, and spent time at each other's homes, I missed many of those connections.

Thank you for staying in my life even as you became a teen-ager and young woman and for allowing me to act in locus parentis for one of the most important purchases of your life.  It was fun, but a challenge, to represent my own taste while trying to channel your mother.  She was definitely in the fitting room with us.

We chose well and you looked beautiful on your wedding day.

Here's to many more years.  The best is yet to come.

Love, Julie

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BPT in LA in 2001 shortly before she was stranded there on 9/11.

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We are a group, not a clique, We are connected through our network of overlapping friendships. Our strength is our heterogeneity. We have always seen each other as independent individuals transcending our ranging backgrounds. Our bonds are rooted in shared values, not circumstance, which is why we are still in touch so many years later. Betty is a lynchpin of our gang - her true curiosity about all of our lives and her irresistible spontaneous laugh connects us. And even though some of us may not be in touch for a while, when Betty pops up in our lives she brings a vivid immediacy to the interaction that melts away the years. Also lots of questions 😉!

On this milestone occasion, we send happy wishes to you Betty with love from Betsy, Cherry, Jane, Laura, and Sarah

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It was so much fun to be out in California with you at the same time.  You were certainly like a big sister for me out on the West Coast.  We enjoyed outings, Thanksgivings, friendly football rivalries!  I was really honored that you were able to share my graduation day.  Happy Birthday! -Marie

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Happy birthday from your preschool pal!
Ah, Beginnings with its soothing blue door! So fun to hang with you and our group of “cool moms” as we navigated the early years! Wishing you the happiest birthday and let’s catch up soon! Love, Rachel

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Scene of the dumpling assembly line and the murder mystery...

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Urban outfitters outing, glitter tattoos, fashion icon

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... but I could always rely on Betty to have camera in hand instead, as on a memorable weekend at the Newport Folk Festival when she managed to get backstage and took some memorable shots of Michelle Shocked; we crashed at her family home, if memory serves, and had a memorable weekend of great music and great fun. It was always a privilege sharing those good times with Betty back in college, and it’s a continued privilege staying in touch all these years later, and rooting you on from the sidelines. Happy birthday and congratulations on all your successes, my friend!

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So many formative and memorable moments and occasions through all these years!

It was intergalactic good fortune to grow up with you and your parents close by as part of our virtual family. It’s crazy now, thinking back, to realize that we essentially lived a bike ride away in North Providence.

I like to believe that Edgar and I toughened you up even more than you already were by treating you like one of us Chou-boys. I’m glad you weren’t too scarred as a result!

And for a blast from the past, here’s a picture from a Christmas morning that I don’t quite remember (did you all sleep on the third floor?).

At any rate, through all of the occasions that we’ve enjoyed, the meals, parties, weddings, long distance calls, from New England to California to Taipei, I do realize that one glaring omission is a Yankees game! So, fingers crossed, hope that we can close that gap in 2021 (or at some point thereafter)!

Happy 50th and welcome to the AARP-holdout club!

With much love from CA,

Eric, Jean, Lindsey, and Evelyn

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Happy 50th Birthday Betty!  Looking forward to many more happy memories.  Love, Edgar, Stella, Caitlin and Conner

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Happy 50th Birthday Betty!  Looking forward to many more happy memories.  Love, Edgar, Stella, Caitlin and Conner

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Favorite godsister...

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Dearest Betty, sending you so much love and happiest birthday wishes! Though we don’t get to see each other often, I always love seeing you. Fond memories of time spent with you include staff meetings (how lucky are we that those were fun memories!), celebrating your social work masters graduation, a lovely flatiron restaurant dinner with yummy pasta, several glasses of wine and great conversation. I’m always inspired by your energy, ideas, intellect, and.... I would be greatly remiss not to mention your style and fashion sense which is so unique, eclectic and fun. Also so much gratitude always for your fundraising efforts to support survivors. You rock Betty!!! 

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Dearest Betty, sending you so much love and happiest birthday wishes! Though we don’t get to see each other often, I always love seeing you. Fond memories of time spent with you include staff meetings (how lucky are we that those were fun memories!), celebrating your social work masters graduation, a lovely flatiron restaurant dinner with yummy pasta, several glasses of wine and great conversation. I’m always inspired by your energy, ideas, intellect, and.... I would be greatly remiss not to mention your style and fashion sense which is so unique, eclectic and fun. Also so much gratitude always for your fundraising efforts to support survivors. You rock Betty!!! 

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From Heidi Ross ♥️♥️♥️♥️

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Questlove at Brooklyn Bowl!

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Happy birthday, Betty! I don't have a photo handy but I have a clear mental picture of you from these wonderful posts and from many wonderful times together (far too few in number, especially in more recent years). You are truly ageless, ever stylish, ever welcoming, ever curious/thinking, fiercely talented and inspiring, and a kind, kindred spirit. Betty+Matt=goals, as the kids like to say. We are all lucky to have you in our lives. Fifty never looked so good! Big love to you, Sag sister! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ -Jean

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Neil and Betty around 1997

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Note the hat!

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Betty is always ready with a toast!

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1997 - One of the rare weddings B and I did not attend together — with Jane, Lee, Allison, Jost and Jacques. (I was in the East at Jennifer Wilde’s wedding on the same weekend.)

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One of our very favorite places in NYC sadly is no more.  The Brooklyn Flea is nice but just not the same.

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There were a bunch of these parties in Westport in the 1990s with various combinations of Anne Barnard friends. We made it to this one because we were in NYC that summer.

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We lived in NYC (in a sublet near Columbia) for the summer of 1997 while I clerked at Paul, Weiss.  Our friends Neil and Ken from LA visited us one raucous weekend.

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Around 1996 — this goes into the category of “Betty is always up for anything!”

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Betty’s 2nd UCLA Short around 1996-97.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a good shot of us illegally towing/shooting cars behind a UHaul all over West LA.

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Betty’s first student short at UCLA around 1994-95.  I especially like the “relaxed” pose with hands behind head when B is clearly very stressed.  Also, these are rare shots of our first apartment in LA on Hilgard Avenue.

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NYC to Bermuda in February 2009

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A lovely celebration in February 2020 — we had no idea what was about to hit us all.

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With Sandya and Danny at Hurray for the Riff Raff in 2015 and for a Weezer cover band in 2013.

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One of a number of quick stop ins by Eric on his East Coast business trips.

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A lot of good memories and movies over the years. One was Making Mr Right 1987 which was the first and last movie the cousins let me pick.

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No comment necessary. The hair doo speaks volumes

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Brooklyn in the early oughts.

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Yankee Stadium, 2000

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At Anne’s Uncle Chris and Aunt Esther’s.  Visited Anne there one summer and then spent Dead Week there with a group of friends.

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Had to include the one of Betty reading Shakespeare.  Otherwise you’d think all she did was “hang out” during college.