Had you told me 5 years ago that I would be where I am now I would have laughed right in your face! This last year alone has been a total surprise even. I am elated to be celebrating the 1st Birthday of Valley & Oak Events tomorrow March 1, 2019.
Some MAJOR topics:
A business owner: My parents owned a home decor & fireplace store when I was a kid. The Store, as we still loving refer to it as, had to close in 2008 when the economy tanked. I always swore I didn’t want to own a business because of that fact. However, now as an adult I better understand that The Store closing was not giving up, it was making the best choice possible for their business and family. Instead of filing for bankruptcy a few years later, they chose to close up and save their credit and what was left of their namesake.
That scared me. I did not want to fail in the way I always thought my parents’ had. It took me becoming an adult to realize that when it comes to your livelihood and family, you do what it takes to make ends meet and to make it work. Growing up under strong parents made it ok for me to make mistakes and come out with a lesson instead of something worse. I’m so very grateful for The Store and all it taught me.
I’m a Yankee: In August 2013, I moved to Savannah, GA on a total whim. I had visited once while on internship and fell in love. I never wanted to come back above the Mason-Dixon Line. I was going to be the epitome of a Southern Belle. I found the Dream Job and lived in a gorgeous place and I WASN’T COMING BACK!
Ha- The Universe has a funny way of doing things. It was such a beautiful place and I’m so happy to of had the experience, but sometimes home calls (summons) you back at the strangest of times. I moved back to the Mitten in September 2015 and proceeded to wallow for the following 3 months. I was in my parent’s basement and working at the same job I had at 16. I wasn’t accepting it as The Plan as I do now. Of course I still dream of the warm weather and the Spanish moss covered trees… but I am the happiest where I am right now.
Drew: The man I love, walked into my life 2 years ago (Feb. 23rd to be exact). He was working as a bartender at the restaurant near my oldest friend’s house. She and I were celebrating a late Valentine’s date and ordered a bottle of ‘Patio Pounder’ wine with our dinner. He had a cute butt and asked her if it’d be cheesey for me to leave my number on the receipt. Her reply was “If you don’t- I’ll do it for you!” That receipt is now framed and on his dresser.
It was unexpected to meet that way, such an organic setting doesn’t seem to happen much nowadays. I’ll be the first to admit that I was not looking for love that night! The last two years have been filled with love, laughter and a lot of joy. We’ve talked about our own wedding- SOMEDAY. For now, we’re pretty happy. We have made a home together. We have our routines yet we know when our souls need us to be spontaneous. We aren’t always in ‘like’ with each other, but there is always LOVE.
It’s funny how The Universe knows what you need before you even realize it. I never really believed in The Universe as an entity; now I realize I’m silly for ever doubting it. While I would love to conclude this with The New Plan, I can’t. I have no idea what The New Plan is. Yeah, sure I’ve got a business plan and a financial plan and an exercise plan… But I’m also excited and pretty dang happy with the moment.
Xoxo,
Kate
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