It took me about 10 years to become a life master.  My husband and I travel a great deal so I kept missing regionals.  On Thursday of the week in Baltimore, my partner and I went down to play in the mid-flight Swiss.  We didn’t have another pair so went to the partnership desk.  I wasn’t very confident because I’ve heard some horror stories about random matchings.  However, we were very lucky and got two of the nicest guys!  They were good players too and we came in third.  I got just enough gold to finally make life master!  I guess it proves no one should give up.