I've been thinking about writing a weekly "getting to know your photographer" post for a while now, and I think that this morning is the perfect time to start. I need to write down the words that I couldn't get out this morning!
In case you didn't already know, I am a member of a wonderful group of people called Business By Referral. It is an amazing, seriously, I can't put enough adjectives down in this sentence to describe them, fabulous, group of souls. I was invited to join the group by a very dear friend of mine (who at the time was only an acquaintance, but she also happened to be my neighbor, and her kids are friends with my kids). I was over the moon to go and probably drove her a little crazy asking and re-asking what time the meeting was and would we ride together or should I just meet her there? I was nervous to go in to the Chamber of Commerce as a business owner and entrepreneur. Especially coming off of a couple of years without really working, and 7 months of not even owning a camera (this is a story for another time, my struggle with my decision to go back to work- I'll post about that in another getting to know me entry!).
The morning of my first meeting came and everyone was so nice. I could not believe that I could be a member of a group of like minded, business and desire driven people, much less in person and not over the internet (helloooo life of a stay at home mom with a husband that travels a lot! Much of my adult interaction comes by way of Facebook or GeoClique!). Fast forward to today, after 5 or 6 months of weekly meetings with these people.. laughing and learning more than I ever could have dreamed of!
This morning was our Thankful Thursday breakfast and I wasn't sure what to expect other than a lot of love. Boy, was I right. Almost everyone brought a guest and many people shed tears of thankfulness over our little group. It was beautiful. I brought Jeannie, the Youth Ministries Coordinator at my family's church (
St. John's Episcopal in downtown Fort Smith). Jeannie was the first person that reached out to us when we moved here. Actually, our former Priest, Father Jesse, contacted our now church home and let them know we were moving here. Amazing. So, Jeannie has been so supportive of me and my family since we moved here almost two years ago. Except, it seems like we just moved here like, last week! My kids call her Grandma, and she is wonderful at being a part of my family. :) We love her so much and we are so thankful for her.
While I was telling my BBR friends and their guests about Jeannie, I began to cry. I didn't plan to, but sometimes when we think about how blessed we are, and how thankful we are, the words just aren't there because
all we can feel are those waves of unbridled love and gratitude welling up from within us. I have so much to be thankful for in business and in my personal life, and every single member of Business By Referral is part of that. I meant to speak a little longer about how BBR has changed my life, about how each person has touched me in some way or another, but I just couldn't get it out. I don't want my lovely friends to think I walked away this morning without being thankful to and for them.
I have so loved getting to know each member, some more than others (don't worry, y'all. I want to know everyone equally!). I am so thankful for Cassie, of course, for inviting me… and for being the best friend & realtor a girl could ever hope to find when she moves to a new place. Cassie's husband Bob isn't in our BBR group, but I think they're probably a package deal, and I am so thankful for him, too. Bob and Cassie have helped me on so many occasions with my kids (last minute babysitter, anyone!? With a traveling husband, schedules can be so hard!), fed my family multiple times, offered support to me when I was stressed or frazzled, given me referrals for work, hired me to work for them (love that real estate photography!), and just been great friends to hang out with and sip wine on their back porch. I just could not imagine my life in Fort Smith without them. The Almighty PlummaGirl formerly known as Michelle, for being so freaking cool and making me laugh every time she opens her mouth. I think she could probably make anyone blush and giggle, and I am so thankful for her presence in our group, and to consider her a friend. Rick for being flat out hilarious, his Facebook status updates need to be compiled into a book. They'll be better than $#!T my dad says' twitter/book for sure! He has blessed us musically at our meetings and every time there is a cause in our town, he steps up to provide, or coordinate, or both. I don't get to go to as many functions as I would like to, and I have yet to be able to attend one that Rick does- but I can only imagine he's the belle of the ball! Julie at the Clayton House. I don't have words kind enough to describe her. I have never met someone so sweet. She's someone that I am most honored to know and I can't hug her enough. If you're ever in Fort Smith, please make it out to the Clayton House for a tour, and say hi to her. Your life will be better because she was in it, even if just for a brief greeting. I promise. Liz, our president, one of the very sweetest ladies I have ever known. I knew she was amazing through her work with ovarian cancer support, and over the last couple of weeks she has been in situations with my children and been so completely amazing to them- I think she was born to be maternal. Liz has always made me feel so welcome and valued as a part of our group. Susan at the Reynolds Cancer Support House, I am so thankful to know her and be involved with DWR House in each and every way I can be. One of the most provoking meetings I have ever attended with BBR was at the Support House, and Susan opened my eyes to cancer patients and what I can and need to do to help. She made me want to be a better person, to give more of myself as a volunteer and as an entrepreneur. There are so so many amazing, kind, caring, PHENOMENAL people in BBR with me. Nathan, Raymond, Bobby, Sheila, Stacy, Dean, Phil
(who always manages to post the absolute WORST photos of me on Morgan Supply's Facebook page every single Thursday), Amy, and everyone else in BBR:
Thank you SO much for being a part of my life. I am so sorry I couldn't spit this out at breakfast… I had something in my eye. I love you all and I pray that I am a member of our little group for years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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| Jeannie, the Youth Ministries Coordinator at St. John's Episcopal Church in Fort Smith |
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| Super blonde me and Cassie out for a night of networking last summer! |
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| Sweet Patricia at the BBR table at Teal Night In Tahiti |
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| Phil, the worst photographer in BBR (I think he does it on purpose) and his gorgeous now-wife Nikki |
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| Cassie, Plumma Girl, and me! |
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| BBR!! |
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| Some people in BBR like each other so much, they plan coordinating outfits |
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| Susan, me, & Cassie at Teal Night in Tahiti |
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| Plumma Girl, me, Cassie @ Teal Night |
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| Stacy and Teresa @ Boots n' Bling |
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| Julie, me, & Cassie @ Boots n' Bling! |
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| BBR girls at Boots n' Bling! |
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| Dave playing guitar at one of our meetings! |
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| a selfie with the Almighty Plumma Girl :) |
