Lighten up Romantic!

"Ya' gotta have heart"

xoxoxo

Ahhh, romantic Love.  When it hits, WOW! right? 
What about the enduring love when you extend a hand to 
a friend who needs you, a shoulder to cry on, a secret to divulge.  

A vice? Coffee.  This is one of my fave cups
my daughter McKenna gave me.

There's so much to be said for that kind of love that gets you 
smiling on a rainy day... or night.  

Some of my dearest friends and I had the chance to celebrate 
the Rescue Mission's 125th Anniversary at an event at the 
Everson Museum called "Mission Al Fresco!"  

Mission Al Fresco, Everson Museum, Downtown Syracuse

The unique idea was to dine al fresco (out of doors you see) and to 
deck your table (and your bodies) all out in ... you guessed it... 

RED:  Passionate, steamy, sizzling hot, glorious RED.

A crazy amount of time and energy was devoted to the right dress, 
hairstyle, table accessories, selected wines and foods for that 
one night.  

I was so excited I was jumping out of my candle apple red shoes
that I'd probably never find another occasion to wear.  

In all of the whizzing and buzzing, no one (at least in our group) 
thought about the "What if?"  Plan B in case the unexpected happened.  

The happy table... just before 'it' hit

"What's that in the sky?"

Tables set, candles lit, cameras flashing, glasses clinking, 
our catered salads jussssssst opening and...

WHAMMO Hurricane Zelda arrived... with a vengeance.

This was the first, smaller 'wave'  
note the soaked-to-the-bone shirt on this poor, romantic soul

The rest of the story? A testament to love.  
This is evidence that love and the love for fun 
and togetherness can defy the worst of potential times.

Drenched, cold, mascara streaming, our red, sizzling hot dresses 
resembling more like Maid of the Mist ponchos-gone V's Secret, 
there were a few quick tears.  We were starving and our meals 
and beautiful table were destroyed. We did what you would do - 
we grabbed the wine, the polaroid camera hidden for safekeeping, 
and headed to dry ground.

xoxo  Ladies (& Gents) in Red   xoxo

What ensued was one of the most memorable, 
lighthearted. lovely experiences! Laugh? 

All the time on the hairstyles for not and we all agreed there was

something 'magical' and beautiful about the way we all looked.

The night was completely and totally salvaged and then some.

I couldn't celebrate this Valentine's Season of Romance and Love
without tipping my hat to those wonderfully romantic spirits who lit the
night last September in the face of a potentially disastrous memory,
laughed, hugged, reminisced, and in the end, chased the rain away.

This is the time of year when even the 'Scrooge-iest" of hearts 
get a chance to soften a bit.  

Infusing joy and lightheartedness into your life, into your business is 
all-important.  So is understanding that without the rain, you don't 
appreciate the sun.  

Be grateful for the business you DO have.  

Share with an employee how much you appreciate it when you 
see them smiling.  Tell the people who you surround yourself with 
how much they matter in your life or to your business.  

Then... when ZELDA rains on your parade... you have the energy, 
support, and LOVE around you to chase it away.

Say "Happy Valentine's Day!" to AngelaM@Cliquen.com
and submit your inspirational story today!