ONE SWEET YEAR

Chris, 

How fortunate am I to get to go through life next to someone who is my best friend? This time last year I was getting ready to finally walk down that aisle and become your wife. We had waited 18 months. 18 long months. You were worth the wait though and here we are now 365 days later. 365 love filled days. 365 date nights, goodnight kisses, and 365 days of living out our vows to one another. It has been the best of years and we've made treasured memories, but the journey isn't perfect and marriage is work. It's an everyday choice, and it's not pretty some days. But between the arguments and the frustration we sometimes give each other is this overwhelming love and sense of home. I may act annoyed when you want to hug me all the time, but to let you in on a secret, your hugs are my favorite thing in the world and I can honestly say this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. This year had it's challenging moments with you trying to get your footing in your career to me starting my own business, There have been tears, financial worries, a few health concerns, and moments when we've gone too far, but marriage is a promise of commitment between two imperfect people who plan on going through an imperfect life together. There will be way more fights, more storming out of the room, more morning snuggles with the pups, more breakfast dates, and a million more kisses and head scratches. Because when you marry someone you agree to see the other at their best and worst and love them through both. 

So thank you for being you. Thank you for making me laugh every day and for being my better half. For taking out the dogs even when it's my day and making yummy dinners when I'm busy. You're the best spider killer, reacher of things that are too high, and the greatest of advice givers. You make this life so fun and I'm so lucky to be able to call you mine forever. 

Like I said on our wedding day, I promise to always be in love with you like I am today. and like I always say, I love you more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow. You are my everything and I can't wait to see what adventures are ahead for the both of us. I love you. 9-20-14 

Password for video is: humble 

One Sweet Fridays

What a beautiful week is has been here in Virginia friends! I'm hanging on to these last moments of Summer and starting to get used to those crisp fall nights once again. I moved to Virginia in the Fall and after growing up in South Florida where it's Summer all year long, the changing leaves and cozy nights were what made me fall in love with this part of the world. I honestly had never felt at home in Florida, but this place, where I've called home for almost 7 years instantly welcomed me and it's wonderful to have that feeling of a true home. I have loved this year and being home. Other than a few work trips here and there and a short late anniversary trip planned later this year, it's been so nice to be content with where we are here at home in Virginia. We're headed to Charlottesville for a day trip Sunday to visit the mountains and a few wineries for our one year anniversary. Too excited! 

This week we took some time to get our home Fall ready and had a little outdoor fun with the pups. Gosh if only the weather would be like this every day! How cute are the pups below?! Levi turns one on Sunday! It's shocking how fast time goes. 

After our relaxing weekend, I'm gearing up for quite the eventful week next week. Between a few business gatherings, a styled shoot on Wednesday, and a special vow renewal for a sweet couple later in the week, it's going to be a bit crazy, but in the best way. Remember to follow along over on Instagram! Lots of floral goodness is coming in the next few days! 

 This busy season is tough, but being intentional with my time has really helped. So just keep swimming friends. Off season is coming, but until then enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead and savor those last moments of Summer. 

One Sweet Day in May is growing!

Earlier this Summer I realized things were growing with One Sweet Day in May much faster than I ever anticipated. Bride bookings were rolling in for this Fall and 2016 weddings as well as 2017 inquiries (what!) A wonderful feeling, yet at the same time terrifying. It's only me here. One girl trying to rule the floral world...well, that might be a bit of a stretch, but sometimes that's what it feels like. As much as I love OSDIM, my life outside of flowers and weddings is very important to me. I love my family so much and maybe it comes with the territory of owning your own business, but sometimes they take a back seat to all the emails, meetings, and weddings. Not always, but it's definitley been something that has happened more than I'd like to admit this year. It's been hard and as I was looking forward to the busiest season yet, what could I do to make things easier for myself and allow me my more time with Chris and friends?  Going into the busy season, I knew I couldn't do it all (as much as I want to be able to) 

My word of 2015 is build. It is meant for all aspects of my life. I wanted to build One Sweet Day in May into the little business that could, wanted to build my marriage in it's first year, and wanted to build our newish house into a home. All things that I can happily say, I've done. The house does still have a long list of projects, but I've come to accept that it always will. So back to earlier this Summer....

I had heard a lot about outsourcing from other business owners, but honestly thought I couldn't afford it. Hello! I'm in my first REAL year and who in their first year needs an assistant? The truth was though, I needed help. I knew One Sweet Day in May couldn't keep growing that way it was without a little help.  Brides are my #1 priority and because of that many other things weren't being kept up to date. So in July after some price restructuring and drawing up a business plan, I took the leap and announced I was looking for a part time assistant. Enter, Caroline! 

Now, first things first, I have to credit Anna of The Richmond Wedding Collective for this one. Anna sent Caroline my way for an interview and I'm so grateful! Thank you Anna! Secondly, (and this has nothing to do with me hiring her) I just love the name Caroline. Chris and I have always had the name Stella in mind if we have a girl someday, but I secretly believe we would actually name a daughter Caroline. It's my favorite. 

Caroline has officially been with me for 2 weeks and so far has made my life so much easier. Between keeping the website, blog, and Pinterest updated, and me picking her creative mind, she's made my busiest month to date so much easier. Caroline will be assisting on event days with setups and bouquet deliveries as well as attending venue walk throughs and bridal appointments. Yay! She wants to gain as much experience as possible and it's a great feeling knowing that you're not just using someone to help you, but you're also teaching and guiding someone to build their own dreams. It's probably my favorite thing about this new step in my business.

A little bit about Caroline, she is a Junior at The University of Richmond and is a super talented dancer with the UofR dance company. Hearing about her auditions and pieces she has parts in this year is so fun! Caroline has dreams of becoming a wedding planner one day and I just know she will make a wonderful one! The girl is going places! 

A huge thank you to my girl Natalie Jayne Photography for taking the time to snap some pretties!

Happiness overload friends! You'll be seeing way more of this pretty girl and a way more relaxed Michelle! Hooray! And when you're seeing the website and other OSDIM platforms looking all fancy and up to date, that'll be Caroline doing her thing behind the scenes. 

Have a good one friends! 

Love, 

Michelle