The May 27 mission is meaningful to so many. My #LaunchAmerica connection:

July 6, 2011: two days before the final space shuttle launch, @astro_g_dogg let a few of us meet the 1st SpaceX Dragon to go to orbit. I was still living in South FL and still not getting great haircuts.

The event was a 2-day @NASASocial (back then called a #NASATweetup) to witness Atlantis lift off on its final mission. The Social team tweeted short bios of the 150 attendees. Mine: https://twitter.com/NASASocial/status/86533480485367808?s=20 https://twitter.com/nasasocial/status/86533480485367808

Ahead of Atlantis’s liftoff, we toured @NASAKennedy and met fascinating people. Even @elmo was there! But most importantly I made friends for life through @NASASocial. I’ve attended 3 friends’ weddings and I’m even officiating one in November!

July 8, 2011: Atlantis lifts off. On board was @Astro_Doug, the *same* astronaut who will fly on Wednesday aboard Crew Dragon with @AstroBehnken.

Watching Atlantis was both a physical & emotional experience. It’s hard for me to contain my emotions. (See thread nobody asked for.)

Atlantis had a 30% of launching and yet IT WENT. That moment was pivotal for me. Two years later I interned at @NASA_Marshall. And it was thanks to @ohmykevin who encouraged me to apply. I wasn’t sure I was worthy. He gave me these words of wisdom:

“Let THEM tell you no.”

Once again, @Astro_Doug is about to make history with his crewmate @AstroBehnken. We’ll watch from home this time, but I hope our coverage inspires people to do something they think they can’t, or overcome a worse thought—thinking that they shouldn’t. I still struggle w/ that.

#LaunchAmerica is for everybody. @NASASocial is for everybody. There’s space for everybody.

I really didn’t have a solid direction for this thread, but that’s me :) I just love that we can share this moment together. https://twitter.com/andresdavid/status/1260732892549918723

(My haircuts are decent now.)