Joelle Morrow has her focus set on the future. As an up-and-coming lingerie designer, she's overcome multiple setbacks on the road to achieving her dream of opening her own boutique but has yet to be knocked down, leaving her no time to think about...
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When Aimee had brought up the idea of throwing an engagement party, there hadn't been a moment's hesitation on my part before agreeing to help her plan.
She deserved a chance to celebrate before rushing full steam ahead into wedding planning and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. Especially now that she was getting married to the love of her life. Though since their intention was to tie the knot in July—when Jack and his teammates were sure to have time off—it needed to be a sooner-rather-than-later kind of event.
And despite our conflicting schedules, Aimee and I spent nearly all our free time over the following week organizing the party. The first speed bump was finding a day that worked with Jack's schedule. Between the games, practices, and other obligations, it wasn't easy, but once the date had been decided, the real work began. Location, food, decorations, guests—they all needed to be sorted.
But it wasn't solely the party planning that kept me busy. It was the task of balancing it on top of my work schedule and the time I set aside to work on my designs. Juggling it all, there were points where I felt like I was in over my head, with too much on my plate as I struggled to stay afloat. However, with each day that passed, my savings account inched closer to the amount I needed to put a down payment on the building I'd been eyeing for weeks. One which stood at the edge of a commercial neighborhood and would be perfect for the small boutique I envisioned myself owning. It was within reach, I could feel it, and having that knowledge only made me work harder.
On the last Saturday of October, I walked into the dining hall Aimee's mom had found for the party after a convenient cancellation and felt the stress of party planning lift from my shoulders.
"Wow," I said, my eyes immediately taking in the room. "This looks even better than I imagined it would."
Spinning around to face me, Aimee grinned. "I know, right?"
Panoramic windows made up two of the four walls, and with autumn in full swing, the view of the city was absolutely breathtaking. Sunlight found its way through the sky of scattered clouds and a mid-day breeze sent the multi-colored trees asway. The buildings stood picturesque against the Charles River, while runners, cyclists, and families filled the streets to give the city its usual bustling feel.
Inside, we'd played off the season and gone with a rustic theme. Tables with white tablecloths lined one side of the room, surrounded by wooden chairs. Pennant banners of gold and white hung beautifully with fairy lights across the ceiling. Candles and sunflowers were the main decorations, though white painted pumpkins and fall foliage had been scattered artfully around the room. And to top it all off, letters spellings out Aimee and Jack's names lined the table closest to the entrance.
"I can't believe we actually did it."
"Well, believe it," Aimee replied. "Though you know I couldn't have done it without you."
A smile pulled at my lips, and as my gaze traveled over her shoulder, I spotted Jack talking to the two people manning the bar. The sound of our heels caught his attention though, and he excused himself before making his way over to us.
