def a ymmv thing... most pros I've seen more than once don't mind the occasional "hey" as long as we're not getting all up in their business, looking for a prolonged convo or confused about who they are and what they do... as said several times here, these are business people and their phones/dms/email inboxes are already loaded with a challenging mix of legit client requests, time wasters, and spam, so they don't need the aggravation. But one or two I've known are cool with the occasional "thinking of you even though I'm not booking today" shot. Occasional gifts help, of course. Recently I reached out to a former regular who left the business (I'd been gifting her $ on her birthday for a few years - sincere gratitude for how I was treated) and, with a little care for her privacy, she has been willing to chat about those times and what she's up to now, though you can understand that she would and should be cautious. I'm grateful and respectful and so happy to learn that she's moved on and doing well in a new career... and really flattered to be trusted so.
