This year has passed faster than any other year in my career. Maybe it was because I traveled more this year than any previous years or maybe it was because I finally reached the goal of hosting my own show? I’m not sure but I’m absolutely certain that I worked harder this year with more focus and tenacity than ever before. I once believed that success meant conquering some far off goal or arriving at a magical destination. However, this year has taught me that success lies only in the journey of living my dreams and what a journey it has been. From the very early morning call times to the hysterical crying spells I experienced some morning while riding to the set of I Do Over to traveling the world with my husband and daughter because I begged them to experience every moment with me…this is called enjoying the journey. The time has come for me to review the goals I set for last year and identify new goals for the coming year but it would be blasphemous not to acknowledge all the good works that God has completed in my life and my immense gratitude. So as this year ends, I share with you my most memorable moments of 2011 with hopes that you may catch a glimpse of yourself inside my journey because I believe that we are all more alike than not -different paths but all taking the same ride!
I started this year in pre-production on I Do Over and proved that I was ready and able o host my own show. As the Host, Designer and Executive Producer it was far more work than I ever imagined but what a great feeling it was waking up every morning knowing that I was living my dreams!
My husband and I officially formed our production company, Underwood Entertainment and proudly watched the credits roll after each episode of I Do Over knowing that this would be a new chapter in my career!
I have never produced very many weddings each year because it always felt impossible to do it with my limited amount of available time. Well with the help of our wedding team, we were able to design and produce six weddings all with a mere five days of design and planning. It is amazing how much we can do, when life does not provide a way of escape!
After we wrapped I Do Over, I hosted a premiere and advance screening in Atlanta with the help of my friend Stacie Francombe and an amazing group of wedding professionals. The best part was celebrating with my wedding team of Cece Counts, Leo Eley, Riann Valentine, D. Micah Lindsey, Tiffany Pompey and Stephanie Scribner!
WEtv participates in the Essence Music Festival every year but this year I was able to design the space, appear as talent to promote I Do Over and Host a segment called Men of Love where I talked with African American R&B singers and actors about our favorite topic ladies – LOVE!
I carved out some time in my schedule to attend Bridal Market in NYC. It was great getting an advance look of designer interpretations of love and to give my new bride Evelyn Lozada a sneak peek of the newest bridal styles as she started thinking about her wedding day look!
Following a last minute invitation from a friend, I jetted off to Paris for Fashion Week and returned with a fresh perspective and more inspiration than I have been able to find here in the US in the last few years!
I completed over a dozen speaking engagements and proved that I have a voice and given the opportunity I will inspire, uplift and encourage people to step outside of tradition and playing it safe…and live their dreams!
I was re-acquainted with several media outlets that have supported me over the years and thanks to I Do Over, I was introduced to a plethora of new outlets. I also learned just how much power some blogs have in entertainment!
Most importantly, I was able to spend so much time with my family. My husband and daughter Riann (even though she is all grown up) are my strength and place of refuge and the ones that make ‘the struggle’ make sense. Along the way, we adopted Leo Eley and Tiffany Pompey into both my business and our families!
So once again looking back gives me great hope for tomorrow. Hosting a positive reality show that offered hope and second chances was not easy in a climate where viewers vote for “Controversial TV’ with their remotes. This experience showed me that I am even stronger than I knew. The future is bright because I know that if I am willing to put my dreams in the hands of the dream maker then I know He (God) will only continue to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that I can hope or think.
Join the Diann Valentine family and share some of your accomplishments of 2011!
Until next year,
