{Thank you}

A break from my regularly scheduled program here.  My husband and I made it official today and purchased the building that has been my studio for the past two and a half years.

On a hot Summer Sunday in July in 2007, my husband and I walked around the charming Historic Square in our very own hometown.  It was the first time I had really walked around.  I had stopped by and peeked into a shop or two, but I had never taken a stroll around the place.  My husband peered through the windows of what was formerly The Apothecary.  He said, “have you looked in here?  I think this would be a perfect studio for you”. I glanced in and I was in love.  We walked into Mosaic Madness next door and inquired about the owners.  They told us we were the third people to inquire about it that day.  We called the owners and asked the questions, “how much?, how big? and when can we move in?” I had planned to sit down and think about it some.  I had called my friend Carolyn to tell her abut our big discovery that day (which by the way, she had mentioned that building on at least five different occasions but my listening ears were not on).  She tells me on the phone, “Marie, if you want that building you are going to have to fight for it.  There are many others interested in that location”. And just like that it happened because if you know me, you know if I want it… IT IS MINE.  I am very competitive and those were fighting words.  I met The Odoms, the owners of the building, the next day at their shop bright and early right after they opened.  They were not expecting me, but I was there and I had a check ready to pay my first month’s rent.  By noon that day, I had signed the lease papers and  already had the dream of one day buying the property.  I just loved it.

Then fear set in.  I had not even thought this through.  I had not made a business plan, I had not made a budget, I had money to pay the rent, but had nothing for things like props, studio lights, more equipment, advertising etc.  I had just jumped off the cliff without a security net.  Fortunately, I was very well taken care of.  All of you supported me in more ways than you could imagine. A few very special thank yous.

To my entire family:  Hector, thank you for holding my hand through this, for supporting me through this even when it was painful and hard,  for being both a mother and a father to our daughter because I’ve been M.I.A. as a parent and a wife.  Madeleine, my daughter and forever faithful subject, thank you for understanding when I couldn’t be home or at your games.  Thanks for thinking I’m famous and for loving me no matter what.  For my family in Mississippi who encourage me by phone, by e-mail, and every other way they know how.  I grew up in a family business, and I feel right at home because of it.  To Mr. Parmele, the man who has taken me and adopted me as his own daughter.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Without you, I could not have done this today.

To my Waxahachie Friends:  When I first moved here I didn’t know a soul.  Carolyn, it was just you and I in the beginning.  Without your little push on the phone I would have talked myself out of it and let the opportunity slip by.  Thank you for being there in the beginning and for being so supportive through this all.  To Christi, my angel and my saving grace.  I thank you every day you are here to help me.  Thank you for all that you do and for still being friends with me after spending the day here.  I look forward to the days you are here even if we do nothing but stare at computers all day. Thank you. And to all my other friends, you know who you are.  I haven’t been there for you lately.  But your words of praise and encouragement were sometimes the only things that helped me through a day.

To Ellis County Living Magazine:  We both needed each other at the very same time.  Thank you for giving the New Girl an opportunity to be published in your fantastic magazine. It was and always will be an honor to be a part of it.

To The Odom Family:  Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime, for trusting Hector and I with your property in the very beginning.  Hector and I have rental property ourselves and we know how hard it is to find someone you can trust and who is going to take care of the property like it is their own.  Your loyalty and generosity is truly appreciated and there are not enough words in the dictionary to say how grateful we are to your entire family.

To my Wonderful Clients:  Thank you all so very much!!!  I had to answer what my dream job would be the other day and I didn’t now how to word that I had my “dream job”.    Thank you for sticking with me through these growing pains.  They have been painful, but I have learned so much from every one of those pains.  Thank you for being part of the dream and for making it real for me!

To all the photographers out there who share their knowledge and expertise: Thank you for sharing, for being an inspiration.  For openly giving out every aspect of your business that I know you have worked hard for.  You have taught me more about business and how to respond to things I wasn’t expecting like competition and imitation.  You don’t find a network like us in many other industries.  Thank you for being there!

Be Good!