toodle-oo 2020 - howdy-do 2021!!
Buh-bye 2020 huh?!
Don’t let the door hit you in the patootie on the way out…..
Well, I half mean what I said about the proverbial door….but I am guessing one year ago today we were all feeling hope and anticipation for what 2020 would bring us……
regeneration, optimism, enthusiasm, joy, motivation, weddings….etc.
….and….. well, we instead got egg thrown on our face, and …things did not turn out as we had ever imagined….
I remember (and always will) Friday, March 13th as if it was yesterday. Immediately my sentiments went out to couples and wedding vendors across the planet who had to quickly spindle due to COVID-19.
The truth bombs and realization of what was ahead for our planet, our loved ones, our world as we know it, my beloved wedding and event industry, my friends, family near and far.
These unprecedented times made all of us hold our loved ones closer than ever.
We worked through the worry, discouragement, zoom-fatigue, fear, anxiety, grief, and blahs, by creating a daily meetup via zoom for fellow wedding pros who were in the same boat, trying to figure out our future….
Who else found themselves with this choice:
Do I succumb to this or instead unapologetically obliterate the distraction of COVID and overcome its fury in order to help whomever I can?
I chose the latter, once the shock was over, and charged forth! Ironically there was a place for reflection and a silver lining in the reality we could never have imagined.
Admittedly, I could not have gone through this breakthrough alone and would be lying if I even tried to pat myself on the back.
True, it takes an immeasurable amount of energy to DECIDE to rise above the throws of a pandemic, however, it took the support, guidance, and brilliance of ‘my people’ (YOU!), a community of fellow wedding pros as well as worldwide “Felici Supporters” (including my dog) to joist from the ache and to help my hardworking team, fellow readers, members, and industry professionals.…
With this fundamental keystone, we were able to accomplish more than I ever imagined, especially in the last nine months.
A few weeks ago I challenged myself to make a list of all the accomplishments, breakthroughs, goals, and resolves from the last year……
…..I confess I have been scribbling them down non-stop…. be it a large undertaking (we launched a podcast) to a small endeavor (getting out of our pj’s today) and everything in between (starting a FaceBook group for couples or continuing education and virtual training for wedding pros), I am in awe of how the #SharingLoveInSB team accomplished and what a positive trajectory 2020 turned out to be in spite of the tragedies, sorrows, uncertainties, and heartache.
…..and IT IS LIBERATING and MOTIVATING to realize that with this we were able to help some of those who were hurting around us, be it couples, wedding pros, friend-ors, and everyone in between……
For couples affected by the sequence of events - be it to postpone your wedding, elope or host an intimate celebration:
AND
For vendors, deeply affected by the turnout of 2020’s challenges, be it get another job, get loans, file for unemployment, pivot your business, take care of your client:
I implore each of you to celebrate what 2020’s uncertainty has led you to do. REALLY dig deep and rejoice with the lemon drop you’ve hopefully made out of said SOUR lemons from this past year.
For me, one thing is certain:
Love Conquers All
Whether it is a couple’s love for each other or our wedding community’s love for our craft, I know that together, we will persevere and we will recognize that these words of reflection prevail.
I could not do it without ALL of you and love you ALL with my heart and my passion for #SharingLoveInSB, I am so grateful for the gifts you have provided to me:
grace, positivity, strength, and new beginnings
ARE THE WORDS to CLOSEOUT 2020
THANK YOU ALL!!
Much Love
Zohe!
