The SQL Server community is really an amazing one to me. Today it's Valentine's Day, and I wanted to send a thank you to all the people out there who work to make this more than just a group of people that make their living with the same technology. A virtual rose for all the SQL Server professionals out there:

It's amazing to me how well this community helps each other. We have so many organizers and speakers working to put on great SQLSaturday events. We have an amazing array of bloggers publishing great information about SQL Server constantly, and quite a few participating in the monthly T-SQL Tuesday blog party (today for February 2012) started by Adam Machanic. We have so many small groups of people that participate in the #sqlfamily, #sqlrun, and other hashtags on Twitter, supporting and cheering each other in various endeavors. I am truly amazed and appreciative of everyone's efforts.

I've been a part of other user groups and events in different technologies in the past, and none of them had a closeness like that of the SQL Server community. Perhaps that's changed, but I'd like to think that our community is more engaged and bonded than any other. If you haven't spent any time getting to know others in your SQL Server community, or participated in events, think about doing so in the future. It's rewarding, fun, and very inspirational for your career.

A Happy Valentines Day to the SQL Server community.

Steve Jones