Logan seen by Karen
In the spring of 2019, I happened to see a post by an old friend which went something like this: “I have moved to France and become acquainted with a remarkable young man who wants to be a pool designer. Do any of my California friends want to host him this summer so he can check out life in America?”
I had been an exchange student in Sweden many decades ago, and my husband Bob and I had hosted various folks over the years for short periods, including an Italian boy, Ugandans, New Zealanders, and several Swedes. But Bob was in treatment for mesothelioma, and every few months we found ourselves adjusting to news of disappointing scans, and new terrible options to combat the relentless cancer. Could we commit to being hosts? Were we up for it?
Bob was game, and quite honestly we figured that many others would vie for the opportunity, so I replied to my friend’s post that we’d be happy to host, but weren’t sure if a young man would be interested in hanging out with an old couple in Palm Springs in the blazing hot summer.
The next thing you know, my matchmaker friend introduced us to Logan via the computer and plans were made. He planned to fly into LAX in early June and spend about three weeks with us before returning to L.A. to shadow a pool designer he had corresponded with online, and then back to France. Who knew how those three weeks would change our lives?
Logan wasn’t very fluent in English, but his enthusiasm about new experiences made the language barrier a minor impediment. The desert heat barely phased him: he was hiking and running and swimming in the pool, happy to try new foods, and had no problem pitching in with chores. We explored Joshua Tree, took the Palm Springs Aerial tram up the mountain, drove to Idyllwild, Temecula, Carlsbad, and Newport Beach. Within days he had made a favorable impression on my friend Rebecca who has contacts in the architecture business. Next thing you know, small town networking landed Logan an interview with the owner of a prestigious pool and landscape design company based here in Palm Springs.
The meeting with Matthew Naylor of Architectural Blue went well, and by the end of the brief hour, Matthew put the ball in Logan’s court: make a proposal of what an “internship” would involve and he’d make a decision. A volley of emails ensued. The upshot was that if Logan could figure out how to secure a visa to return to the U.S., Matthew would employ him.
All of this transpired within just two weeks of arriving in America. Logan’s head was spinning, and the excitement was palpable. Upon returning to France, Logan researched how to set up a six-month internship visa (since renewed and extended), and was able to return in October 2019 to intern at Architectural Blue.
He hit the ground running, staying with me and Bob for the first month while he started work, began ESL classes at the College of the Desert, and found a place to live. He didn’t have a California driver’s license yet, so he borrowed Bob’s electric scooter to putt around the desert, from home to the office, to school and to field appointments. Within a very short time, Logan proved his skills to Matthew and was promoted within the company. His rapport with customers, ability to design and manage complex projects, and enthusiasm and talent for pool and landscape design have proven to be invaluable to the company.
Even though he has been incredibly busy with work and new adventures, Logan often stops by my home to help out, or just hang out. His positive attitude has cheered me up during Covid lockdowns and losing my beloved husband. I am continually impressed by his energy and work ethic. He has proven himself in so many ways, and I am confident that Logan has a bright future ahead.
