The Little Shop of Awesome

Dear Diary,

To most, Valentines Day means a day, night, or weekend with the person you love. It's all about the best gift, the delicious dinner, and the perfect romantic story to tell your friends.

But, for the past few years, Valentines Day has not meant any of that to me. It has meant hard work, long hours, LOTS of flowers, and time spent with women I love! Agreeing to take a part time job at the Flower Shop was one of the best things I ever did. Not only did I acquire the perfect college job, a new talent I didn't know I had, and a home away from home, BUT I gained mentors, second mothers, and true friends for life.

It all started with an offer to take a delivery job for a family friend, MELISSA. In the beginning it was only her, another designer and me, working together to run the shop the best way we knew how. If I remember correctly, my first day on the job was hardly ideal as I had gotten off route, had to make a delivery out of town and I am PRETTY sure at my last stop, I opened up the back end of the car and broke at least 2 vase arrangements. Don't worry, my second day was much better, and before long delivery became a piece of cake compared to the new skills Melissa was teaching me in the shop. I got to learn design from THE BEST, and I mean that. Melissa started me off with bow making and bud vases and before long I was working on easels and casket pieces. I had a true love for it, and in trying to keep up with the amazing designs of my boss, I only got better and better.

The shop was soon blessed with the usually late, always fun, and wonderfully talented BRENDA. She was also a part-timer like me, designing and helping out where she could. She fit in right away and I think Melissa and I can both say the days were always better when Brenda was in. I officially had two "second-moms" that I could talk to about anything, and believe me, I did. Work not only became the place where I earned my income, but a place where I could relax, get things off my chest and ask for advice about anything and everything in my life.

Then came my true MOTHER, who I think decided since she was spending so much time at the shop anyhow, she my as well get paid for it =) I'll be honest and say that I was a little nervous when Mom said she was going to start working for Melissa full time. How would I like working with my Mother everyday? Well I will tell you, it was fantastic! She was my Mother, sure, but she was also a friend. And I must say the dynamic in the shop got that much better as we were all having more fun than anyone should be allowed at work!

THEN came the move, and with the move came the new Little Shop of Flowers, and with The Little Shop of Flowers came some employee fires and some employee hires, and with the employee hires came another perfect fit, KRISTIN! They say things happen for a reason and Kristin joining THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS was definitely meant to be. She fit in to our little group perfectly, and it helped that her designs were great too!

Many people have come and gone over the years, including many family members. I think all the Cedeno and Boler kids have made, and our continuing to make, their mark. Every one's husbands have been assigned duties here and there, including Garrett who delivered part time during baseball season =) And while the core of THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS aren't related in the slightest, we are all family. The crazy stories are abundant, the good times are countless, the talent is incredible, and the friendships are everlasting.

I was truly bummed that for the first time in a long time I wasn't going to be spending my Valentines Day working my butt off in the Flower Shop. Due to doctors orders I wasn't allowed to travel to one of my favorite places in the entire world and work alongside some of my best friends. That didn't stop them from sending a little Valentines Day humor my way though. No one but THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS will understand, but when I received the dozen mixed carnation vase arrangement on Friday, it made me laugh and miss you guys even more!

SO, while you are all exhausted and don't think you can look at another order, remember that if you weren't there, you would be at home like me, wishing you were! And while Pittsburg is missing out on some great designs by YOURS TRULY, I have no doubt that everything will be just as beautiful and perfect as it always is. You guys are awesome, ALL of you! And to all the past and present Little Shop of Flowers employees -

Once A Flower Shop Girl, Always A Flower Shop Girl!

LOVE YOU!

Sincerely Yours,