I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…Part Two Toronto…

“I don’t know what I would have done so many times in my life if I hadn’t had my girlfriends…Reese Witherspoon

I think at one time or another we have all been set up on a blind date! Two of my blind dates stand out…

The first blind date I married. The second has become a lifelong best friend. This second blind date was a bit out of the ordinary. I had recently left publishing and opened a wholesale Home Decor Accessory company. The Home Decor Buyer for Nordstrom, Southern California, was scheduling a Trunk Show in her Santa Barbara Store and called me. In our phone conversation, the buyer mentioned, “I’ve selected four companies to participate.” And that she particularly chose me and another owner. “I think you two will hit it off and bring a little added excitement to the day!”

That Nordstrom Trunk Show turned a blind date into a decades-long ‘Road Show.’ And I say road show because we traveled throughout the country to the six major cities/markets in January-February, April, June/July, and October. My blind date was not a novice. She owned, designed, and ran a multi-million dollar company and had been in the business for over thirty years when we met.

We traveled the road together for eleven years, sharing secrets, wine, and gossip..

My trip to Toronto had one purpose: to celebrate her 96th birthday. Can you imagine life on this earth for 96 years? Her red hair has morphed into an astounding shade of white, and her “Road-Runner” speed has slowed a bit.

Throughout my life, I have been gifted with guides. These Angels in disguise would descend into my life just when I was asking myself, “What have you done?” My Nordstrom blind date is one of those Angels. She was instrumental in showing me the ropes of the wholesale side of the Home Decor business. She was and continues to be a mentor in my life.

It was an extraordinary trip that not only celebrated her birthday but celebrated our friendship and her place of honor in my life.