09/07/2026
Between the loss of my uncle, moving, a new school for the kids, heading into our busiest seasons at the shoppe, and a whole list of other things life has thrown at us, the last month has just been a lot. I’ve felt pulled in a million different directions. Mom. Wife. Daughter. Shoppe owner. Volunteer. Friend.
And somewhere in all of that, I’ve been trying to hold it together. Some days I have. Some days I really haven’t.
There have been days I’ve walked into the shoppe, smiled, talked to customers, worked on displays, answered questions, posted on Facebook, laughed with my team…and then gotten in my car and just felt completely exhausted. Because you can look completely fine and still have a lot going on inside.
I don’t think people always realize just how much goes into this shoppe. How much time, energy, thought and heart goes into it. And it’s not just me. My team works their butts off too. There is so much that happens that you never see.
And through all of this, something has really hit me. You guys have been a little bit of a reprieve for me.
You probably don’t even know it.
You walk through our doors because you need a little retail therapy. Maybe you need a new top. Maybe you’re looking for something for your house. Maybe you just needed to get out of the house for an hour.
But so many times over the last month, you were the break I needed. A conversation at the counter. Someone making me laugh. A familiar face walking through the door. Someone telling me about their kids. Someone asking how I’m doing. Someone staying just a few extra minutes to chat. Those little moments have meant more to me than I can probably explain. Because for a little while, I get to forget about everything else.
I get to stop thinking about moving boxes and school and emails and loss and everything on my never-ending list. I get to just be at the shoppe. And be with you.
I’m not sharing this because I want anyone to feel sorry for me. I honestly don’t even know why I felt like I needed to write it. I think maybe I just needed to acknowledge that this has been hard and maybe remind myself that it’s okay to say that.
So thank you.
Thank you for sharing your life with me, laughing with me, checking in on me, and giving me a reason to smile on days when I really needed one.
You probably came in for a little retail therapy. But there were so many days when you were mine.
And I just wanted you to know that. ❤️
