A personal note.
I knew this was going to be a hard post to write, but I also knew I needed to do it.
I have long said that I have the best clients, and you guys have continued to prove that statement true. Again and again I am overwhelmed at the kindness and thoughtfulness of my couples, both past and present. If you can bear with me through the next few paragraphs I will get to the point.
The last few weeks have been an incredibly difficult time for me. As most of you know, my grandfather passed away at the beginning of March, and I spent two weeks back home in Alabama with my family.
I had an incredibly special relationship with my grandfather. For most of my life I lived less than 100 yards away from my grandparents and spent many nights at their house and ate most meals with them. They were a HUGE part of how I grew up. My grandfather was like a father to me. We spent time together in the garden planting seeds and picking vegetables. We built things together with wood. We even cut down trees and chopped and split firewood together. No matter how busy he was he ALWAYS had time for me. He ALWAYS let me "help". Even when it wasn't really helpful at all. (I appreciate this even more now that I have a "helpful" two-year-old.)
My grandfather and I went on breakfast dates to the hospital in our town on Friday mornings before school, and then he would take me to school and walk me in. We had special ice cream dates at Dairy Queen and always got banana splits. I have so many wonderful memories...
I was blessed with 33 years of knowing him and seeing him live and give his time and life to others. He was one of the most compassionate people I have known. One of the things the pastor that officiated the funeral said was, "There is something from this man's life that you need to know."
I have thought about that statement a lot over the last few weeks and have come up with so many things that I have learned and know because I knew him. Compassion, generosity, integrity. Things that I learned from him and know from his life are things that I strive to apply to my daily life and my business practices. He played such a huge part in who I am today. I'm so thankful to have known him.
During this time I was also reminded how amazing the people around me in New Hampshire are. The second I found out that my grandfather had passed a friend came over to watch my daughter while my husband and I figured out logistics and travel plans. I received such sweet comments from every single bride I had booked for 2015. Past and current clients sent cards and emails. The outpouring of kindness and love from not only my clients, but also my friends was such a bright spot amid what felt like an incredible darkness. I will never be able to thank you all enough. You all played a part in showing me that we have a wonderful community here in New England that is full of amazing people who share some of the same qualities as my grandfather. You have all made me feel like I am at home right here in New Hampshire.
I am so thankful to know each of you and to know that you have trusted me to share in one of your biggest life experiences. Your kindness has meant so much to me. And, as the pastor said of my grandfather, "there is something from this man's life you need to know", there is something from the life of each person we encounter that we need to know. I continue to learn from and be encouraged by each of you. Thank you again for sharing part of your life with me and for continuing to prove that I absolutely have the best clients (and friends).