04/21/2023
The end.
I suppose I had always had a dream to open a bakery. I cannot remember a time when it wasn't in the back of my mind. I even had planned on going to culinary school but that didn't happen.
In the beginning of 2019, with A LOT of prayer and planning, we decided the time was right. The Dream was becoming a reality. I was so excited and scared! And Jamie, being Jamie, just wanted to make sure I was happy. That year was a whirlwind of highs and lows as we prepared and planned. There was so much work put in by family and friends getting everything ready. Finally on December 12, 2019, we opened the doors and never looked back.
I know that God made me a promise that the bakery would grow and survive! And it did! They say if you enjoy what you do you'll never work a day in your life. Once all the kinks worked themselves out and we made it through the growing pains, I truly was living the dream.
Somewhere along the way though, my dream seemed to look way different than what I had expected. I had hoped at some point I could take time off and be with my family more, but unfortunately, to do that I would have to close here and there.
I did not take the decision to completely close down lightly. In fact, I wrestled with myself for months trying to figure out the best solution. Jamie was actually the first one to bring it up. I prayed and prayed and prayed constantly for God to guide me. And it always seemed closing the business was the solution. But that didn't make sense when God promised to take care of the business. So I really struggled with what to do. The day I told my Momma that I was thinking about selling the shop she looked at me and said "I've been praying you would sell it because you're not happy anymore." That was my confirmation. I knew what I had to do.
My family needed me and I needed them. I didn't know how much until then. I missed doing everything with them. I missed sleeping in on Saturday mornings and waking up to Hannah wanting breakfast. That hasn't happened in nearly three and a half years. Which right now we get up with the chickens heading to a softball tournament somewhere for the day. I can't miss these things! I only get to live them once with her and Jamie. I don't ever want either one to say I chose the shop over them.
I was reminded that there is a season for everything and even though God made that promise to me back in 2019, doesn't mean that's the end of the story. It's just a season and it's time to move onto the next one. I just hope during this season I've helped someone or made a difference in someone's life. I hope I got out of the way enough for God to use me for His glory. I pray all this was not done in vain.
For a long time after I made the decision to shut down, I felt like such a failure and was so embarrassed and dreaded the day to have to tell everyone. I prayed about that too! Y'all don't know how much praying I did in that kitchen EVERY day! 😂 When it's all said and done, I can say I did my best and we were successful and that's nothing to be ashamed of.
So once again THANK YOU to our wonderful customers for your support. You became my family away from family and I hated over the past year that I didn't get to be out in the dining room with you like I had at one time. You made a difference in my life and I will be forever grateful for that. You'll never know how much I love you. THANK YOU to family and friends for EVERYTHING you have done over the last few years. Without you none of this would have been possible. I love y'all more than words can express.
I am now on the road to a new season! Only God knows where it will lead me. I'm going to disappear for a little while to refocus and get my priorities straight. One day you'll see me again! 😉
