December 31, 2011 – 4:11 pm
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 knew that the heart of wedding season was the perfect time to introduce I Do Over to my respected colleagues in the wedding industry but deciding on the best city was my quandary. Atlanta had been good to me over the years and always embraced my presence so it seemed like the best logical choice. And with my birthday being in early July, it also seemed to be the perfect excuse to throw a great party and offer an early preview of I Do Over. And a great party is exactly what transpired in Atlanta on July 14th. Unlike all DRV productions and personal parties I have hosted myself, I was able to actually be a guest and simply enjoy every single minute of it!
This year has been full of wonderful surprises, developments and changes in my career. In July, I joined WeTV at the Essence Music Festival in a very new role. During the pre-production of this activation, I was able to design the WE tv booth and give them a fresh perspective on a corporate exhibit booth. An inviting environment where women could come and experience the WE tv brand in a comfortable and engaging space using my favorite, delicious hot pink sofa from Form Décor as the centerpiece of the space. However, once I hit the ground I was not a designer but the host of WE tv’s newest wedding show, I Do Over!
This year I had the privilege of teaching a session at Engage 11 in San Diego. I can still remember the day when Rebecca responded to the email request I had sent her almost a year previously and asked if I was available for this year’s conference. I had heard so many great things about the Engage experience but I have not attended a wedding conference in years so I really had no expectations. All I knew was that I was thrilled to join such an established group of wedding professionals – many heralded as the leaders in our industry and at this year’s Engage, I would be listed among them.
While engulfed in the hectic pace of shooting I Do Over, I was blessed with my first ‘party planning’ feature in People magazine. I was tasked to provide tips and a stash of entertaining goodies that every woman should keep at home so she is prepared to host an impromptu gathering at any moment. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and it didn’t hurt that I was in the same issue that my favorite Kardashian graced.
