In lieu of recapping one of the most epic Bat Mitzvah’s to date, I want to share my truth with you all. I am paraphrasing some for the masses, but I want to share a note that I sent to my team of over 40 vendor partners following this most recent celebration. It is raw and real and I cried through most of it while writing it. We are in an emotional and personal industry for a reason and the feels are real real. It is part of what allows me to show up so fully for the projects we get to take on. A real human connection. There is a gift and possibly a bit of a curse in longevity. I’ve been producing events for over 20 years. I’ve seen and been a part of the good, bad and ugly. The hard, the unfortunate, the beautiful and gracious. No matter what though, the team is the differential. Pros that understand the reverence needed in camaraderie. We may not literally sign each others paychecks but we certainly need each other to do what we do and do it to the best of our abilities. Perhaps that is one of the things that keeps me coming back… I’m never alone in this and that is a beautiful thing.
“The last several years have felt like an uphill twisting journey of problem solving, pivoting, hard conversations, tough feedback and soul searching. The irony of a “realms” theme to pull me out of it, isn’t lost on me. And while I have been more challenged than ever in my 20 years in this wild industry, the faith has remained sparked. Even in my curiosity of “what else would I do? could I do? want to do?” it always ends in “nothing… hospitality and design are my calling”. So… even in my darkness there has been light, a smoldering ember at times, but light nonetheless. My ultimate feedback from this celebration echoes that of perfection. An accolade I don’t take lightly for a self-proclaimed perfectionist in constant pursuit. You and your teams shined so beautifully and bright. It called back to the pre-pandemic days of ease and joy, even it when it was hard. I slept soundly the night before and calmly with head high walked into load in and at the end of brunch crashed with nothing but faith, hope, joy and peace in my soul and gratitude for each and every one of you AND your extended teams (and to your families, loved ones, cheerleaders and supporters who somehow give us grace time again for games missed, sleep lost, and accepting us as we are even when it isn’t the best version).
I beg that you share my most immense gratitude to your crews. You/They showed up, they were kind, supportive, flexible and helpful. Every single human went above and beyond and with what felt like a sincere happiness rooted in our common purpose. I know this feels like “isn’t it supposed to always feel like that?” and the answer is yes, but it hasn’t for a long time. So please know how much I appreciate every effort that went into making Hannah’s celebration one for the ages. How much I appreciate you bringing “my crazy ideas” to life in the most collaborative way. The level of detail in which every single one of you showed up is simply beyond reality and my wildest dreams. I can unequivocally say, this is a first.
Thank you to each of you for not only the level of detail you committed but for the sheer hospitality that has been missing for years. For the management of your teams that only experience, growth and opportunity present. Not only was it seen it was experienced and felt, it was given freely, intentionally and with sincerity. For those things I am grateful and have a restored sense of light in my heart.
“One” last story. I would be remiss if you didn’t know that you have restored the magic for me, in what I get to do. I’ve always said “I want to be able to see what we do from someone else’s perspective or lens. I’m too close to fully appreciate it.”
Perhaps it was the light from a 4-year old’s eyes as I showed her where “the hobbit lived” (he was out in the garden so he couldn’t say hello) or the way she lit up and looked at her mother in full wonder when she passed through the forest to see where the mermaids lived. Perhaps it may have been the 5-year-old still dancing at coat check on “her other dance floor” when it was time to go to bed only to see her still dancing the next morning at brunch. She refused to wash off her “mermaid face” because she had swim practice that day and wanted to swim her best! I also held a discovery interview at the host stand with a 7-year-old who wants to be “a party planner!” she can’t imagine any other profession could be so fun! Those two went home to play “check in to the Four Seasons” for the rest of the afternoon. It is this unconstrained joy and possibility that fires me up. It is the hope that the stories they get to tell are so unbelievable that they live rent free in their young minds knowing that in fact they did see an elf and heard a mermaid sing, that they ate cotton candy on the moon and danced in the stars to only the music they hear in their minds. That they continue to dream beyond the realm of possibility because you all made their wildest dreams come to life. I was those girls that weekend. Thank you for allowing me not only dream but see beyond the realm of possibility.”
It all keeps moving and shifting but what really creates the solid foundation is “purpose.” I think my greatest purpose sometimes is to simply keep dreaming…
Photo Credit: Theo Milo Photography
