Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada): This is my third visit to the Falls (Canadian side, that is) over the last three years. Although they are majestic and truly a sight to see, I noticed that I was not as captivated by them as I had once been before. In fact, I was so consumed with the hustle and bustle of the day and taking care of the little details (which actually make up my job), I had forgotten just how lovely they are.
Until I felt the mist.
I was outside waiting for the boss to arrive and was marveling at how nice the weather was -- sun shining with just enough of a breeze to move the warmth around. So I was confused as to why I felt little sprinkles of water on my face. Could it be raining while perfectly sunny outside? Would this turn into some strange downpour mid-day? (And think how that would muck up this perfect arrival plan....)
Then I was reminded by my friendly hotel security escort that it was not rain, but rather mist from the Falls. Of course! I had forgotten just how close we were -- close enough to even see that mist quickly collect on my glasses. It reminded me that sometimes when you get too close, you actually forget what's going on around you. It's as if you're so concerned with the details, you are losing sight of the bigger picture.
A cliché, perhaps, but isn't that what clichés are?
Cut to the
other part of my life. At the end of last year, I read a
blog from an Event Styling & Planning Firm, offering some fantastic
products for potential brides. Simply
brilliant. This could be a whole new audience for us! I had dreams of meeting people involved in this niche market and presenting alternative ways of commemorating the celebration of love they were planning.
Over the next few (many) months, I worked with my lovely (other) boss and a group of fabulous women in the company to create some wedding-specific ideas. Then I met some new friends at an
expo (there is a lot that goes on in this little world!) and invited them to spend the day with us and see what really goes on in hand-making these products. They came, they saw, and then... they blogged.
As I read their posts, I realized I've been so caught up in the busy-ness of the doing, I've forgotten just how lovely they -- the products, the company, the women -- are. And to be honest, I don't think I've stopped to look and see just how happy I am when I talk about this.
These blogs and photos were just the perfect mist I needed to bring me back to the bigger picture of why I'm actually here in the first place.
The blogs can be found at
Ashley's Bride Guide and
The Thirty Something Bride. Check them out to read these lovely ladies' experiences on a Wednesday morning and see some beautiful photos by
Jonathon Campbell Photography. AND, to boot, for every comment, tweet, facebook, reposted blog mentioning the link -- ABG and The Thirty-Something Bride will donate $1 to Thistle Farms. How amazing is that? You can donate just by hitting copy & paste.
A very special thanks to Ashley, Louise, Jonathon, Sharon and Tabitha for spending time with us and sharing our story with your readers. And for being the perfect bit of mist I had been needing.
