#ConnectBetter on National Friendship Day

I was given the opportunity to send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to a friend (and myself) from FTD. All thoughts, opinions, and stories are my own!

National Friendship Day almost came and went… but then there was she.

Danielle and I “met” at the Type A Parent Conference in Georgia last year. It was a trip I went on last minute after I was notified my piece, “An Open Letter to Special Needs Parents” was a winner in the We Still Blog awards. I cried when I called Dave because I was so blown away… and he immediately told me to book the flight and hotel and get down there.

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And so I did.

Millie and I boarded a plan, then a commuter train, then walked to our hotel. I was nervous to be alone in a city I didn’t know with people I didn’t know and I met two women that changed my path.

Crystal Turneau, aka Ewok Mama, aka jack-of-all-trades, welcomed me with open arms. Also wearing her baby on the front, we immediately connected, heading out to dinner together- hoping our babes would remain in their calm demeanors. They did. And we talked.

This mama connected me to myself, gave me the courage to tell my story deeper, and we’ve [thankfully] remained close! …so she better expect me on her couch, kids in tow, in the future! (And yes, people got us confused for each other… between our hair and babies, she’s totally my twin!)

And then there was one.

And she blew me away.

As Millie struggled to stay quiet in her carrier after my reading of An Open Letter to Special Needs Parents, I slipped out of the big meeting room. But I wanted to hear. Whose piece had won the hearts and minds of the panel?

Her name is Danielle. And she is not just a blogger. Not just a mother. Nor wife. An advocate. Or badass crafter. She is all of these things and more. And her piece was the start of my woke.

She didn’t win hearts and minds, she won souls. Her piece opened eyes that didn’t even know they were closed. She educated, hyped up, and spoke a piece most of that room needed to hear. Our ears will never be the same. Our minds altered. Her life a lesson to all…

Her piece, I Used to be a Respectable Negro, But then I Woke Up, was being spoken… live… and I was shushing my child onto my breast, praying for her to stop chirping so I could hear. As I peered through the heavy double doors, I think I stopped breathing.

Or every single time someone told me I was “so articulate and well-spoken.”

Danielle is an academic I could only ever dream of being. She is smarter than me in books, in life, in streets… and in parenting and wifedom? I think we help each other out. Her babe is ridiculously handsome- just like his dad… but also, like my ladies, gives his parents a run for their sanity.

But unlike me and my family, Danielle opened me up, my guts, upbringing, perspective, and bias pouring out of me onto a hotel carpet, while I stifled a screech from my child. I was breathless with a pounding heart.

I was woke.

Her friendship has meant uncomfortable admissions, digging deeper and a desire to step down and be lead; a trait unnatural to me.

So this is why…

I chose to send Danielle a beautiful bouquet from FTD.

Because while she is out there blazing trails, teaching the advocacy she’s mastered, blogging, momming, wifing and crafting, she isn’t always remembering the woman inside her that needs the same love and attention.

I know she’s getting her bouquet and will barely get to embrace the beauty before she hits the ground running to BlogHer ’16… but it will be there, fresh as day 1 when she returns, because of their 7 days freshness guarantee. I trust FTD to deliver the best to the people who deserve it most.

And me? I am putting my flowers proudly on display in the office space I’ve tailored to me- celebrating both friendship and my 7th year of marriage to my anchor. To embrace my entrepreneurial path- being my own boss. From my blogging, fitness, advocacy and education of those around me. It’s time we take those moments for us- to feel good, do good, be good. To recognize those around us who lift us up. To push to understand, learn, and join the struggle to be the change.

National Friendship Day:

FTD commits to being there for all of your special days, big and small, which is why I trust them to send the best to one of my favorite ladies on this special day. This year, National Friendship Day is August 7th. How are you celebrating friendship in your tribe? Sometimes we meet people that change parts of us… and others who change our being. For me, meeting Danielle at Type A changed me. My career, my outlook, my heart.

Whether the change is in your own life, the world, or just recognizing the moments to connect better to our friends and family, this is the time to start. Check out these gorgeous bouquets, done for you, and ready to deliver to the people who will appreciate your love the most.