The piece reflects on the influence of David Heinemeir Hansson, known as dhh, and his creation, Ruby on Rails. The author shares personal anecdotes about how discovering Ruby shaped their early career and social life. They recount a pivotal moment in 2007 at university when they met Hampton Catlin, who introduced them to Ruby and the local Rails community. These connections led to friendships and opportunities that defined their professional path. The author highlights the vibrant culture surrounding Ruby during its rise, marked by a sense of joy and creativity. They mention influential figures like _why the lucky stiff, who made programming seem playful and artistic. The Ruby community, with its quirky vibe, hosted conferences and fostered collaboration among developers. The author also notes the significant impact of early Rails apps on the tech landscape, mentioning GitHub and Twitter as examples of successful projects built with Rails. The narrative reflects on the author's journey from a challenging job market during the Great Recession to a successful career in web development and security. They emphasize how Rails provided a satisfying environment for building web applications, contrasting it with their earlier experiences in more traditional programming settings. The essay ultimately serves as both a personal tribute to dhh and a broader commentary on the transformative power of Ruby on Rails in the tech world.