Where do I start? With the excitement and joy? Nervousness and uncertainty? Relief and calmness? Seriously, the waves of emotions that I have felt for months and for sure, the past thirty days. Did I make the right decision? Have I lost my mind? What in the heck am I doing? All quite logical questions in the midst of a pandemic, right? But, then I ground myself – and remind myself – don’t be like the rest of them darling. I have always been known to go rogue and if there is one word to describe me, it’s determined, especially if someone says something cannot be done. I guess in these times, that’s an assumption. Life is not easy right now. But I didn’t let that get in the way, and I didn’t let it derail me. I said yes to me, my family and my life. 

This dream of mine you see, has been years in the making. I remember running the sales floor back in Presque Isle, Maine, dreaming of the days that it would be for me. I remember planning my wedding, and fighting with my mom along the way when she kept bugging me that I should do this for a living. I remember trying to sell the idea of dogs and flowers together and why just maybe that made sense. I remember convincing Heather that this was the best idea for us and opening a store would be our story – every bit of it. And now, I type this in the office of our recently expanded shop, a place that now is like nothing I ever dreamed was possible. 

To sum this up, it feels good – but it was not easy. It took working 21 days straight while being pregnant with twins. It took sleepless nights to get ready for a wedding weekend. It took a village to help us along the way, whether it was watching one of our 8 kids, showing up with a bottle of wine to help us celebrate or vent, or to be there every milestone and celebration we have had along the way. 

The decision was easy. I wanted to be home with my kids. I just had to be patient, plan for it, and not waiver on what was most important to me – my family. I wanted to be the one they looked for at preschool pick up. I knew if I wanted that to become true, I needed to be my own boss. I crafted the plan, held myself accountable to the timeline, and my closest people were there every step of the way helping to make sure I really could make this dream a reality.

August came, 8am on a Monday came, and out I went on my front steps to make that call I have waited my entire career for. Here is my corporate leadership role resignation. I am trusting me. I am giving all of myself to my family and my business. I am scared as hell, but I am trusting in God to guide me through and trusting in myself that I got this. He’s gotten me this far, and I have never been happier. 

My advice – dream it, plan it, don’t waiver, and JUMP! It’s worth it.