Hi Friends,
In this email you'll see a beautiful and inspiration letter written by my girlfriend, Melanie -- many of you may know her from our wedding and the incredible job she did photographing and designing our invitations and programs. Melanie is embarking on an admirable journey over the next year to eliminate her personal debt by providing beautiful, low cost prints of many of her beloved photographs. Please read on for her explanation of her project and how you may choose to participate.
I first met Melanie when we worked together at Starbucks in Santa Barbara. We began working there within two weeks of each other; with our matching Starbucks uniforms and our long, blonde hair pulled back in ponytails many customers mistook one of us for the other. We got a kick out of that, and quickly formed a connection. We worked together for two years, but it wasn't until I quit the store that our friendship really began to develop, and it wasn't until the year she spent by my side helping me brainstorm and plan many elements of my wedding that I began to think of her as one of my very best friends.
Not only did we wile away the hours hand-making wedding invitations, addressing envelopes, editing photographs and working with color, layout and design, we made time for happy hours and dinner out and coffees downtown. We shared many a good bottle of wine and for awhile were each other's frequent date to the movies. When Will and I moved it was Melanie who packed boxes until well past midnight and then appeared on our doorstep before sunrise the next morning -- coffees in hand -- ready to help unload the U-haul truck. Melanie is one of the most selfless, giving, inspirational and talented people I've ever had the privilege to know, and her friendship means so much to me. I love her dearly... and wish her all the luck in the world with this admirable project.
Kelly Sweda - 1st Degree
Santa Barbara, CA
November 18, 2007
A Best Friend's Response
Melanie Bess..............
WOW!! and if I had a larger font option I would make that bigger!!!!!!!
I have to say that for the first time I am speechless, but at the same time filled with so many emotions that the only way I can share them with you is written over an email!!! I absolutely had chills dancing over my body while reading every word of your email. It put a smile on my face adrenaline in my veins and tears in my eyes. I can say I am humbled and proud to be your best friend; reminded again of what an amazing and strong person you are (not only benefiting yourself but effecting thousands of others that surround you) and how fortunate I am to be apart of your life; dedicated to helping you achieve your goal and I have to admit saddened because I can hear your desperate plea for financial help and know the weight it bears as I have felt that same hopelessness. This is a truly brilliant idea....and you have far surpassed what I was expecting (although in true Melanie fashion I am not surprised)!!!! You have created a movement...one that will cross over the nation and world....one that will without a doubt touch the lives of people everywhere and will be more rewarding than paying off every dollar of the 150,000 necessary to pay off your debt....not to mention a possible book deal with the numerous stories you will receive. You are an inspiration...and the hope that enables everyone who reads your message and the others that will contribute to it will fuel their desire to know they can succeed in any dream imaginable!!!
(and this is what I was feeling before even opening up the images)
Each image chosen stands strong and creates a statement similar to each carefully chosen word in your email. Some of the images I already know the story and some I am anxiously awaiting the bio as the picture really does speak a thousand words!!!! I am eagerly awaiting the progress of "Debt Free by 30" and can say confidently that my best friend will be, without a doubt DEBT FREE BY 30!!!!!!
I have the chills again and can relate to the feeling you must have been experiencing while trying to write down your ideas while going 80 on an open road with nothing but endless opportunities!!!!!!
I am so very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allison Birkmeyer - 1st Degree
San Diego, CA
WOW!! and if I had a larger font option I would make that bigger!!!!!!!
I have to say that for the first time I am speechless, but at the same time filled with so many emotions that the only way I can share them with you is written over an email!!! I absolutely had chills dancing over my body while reading every word of your email. It put a smile on my face adrenaline in my veins and tears in my eyes. I can say I am humbled and proud to be your best friend; reminded again of what an amazing and strong person you are (not only benefiting yourself but effecting thousands of others that surround you) and how fortunate I am to be apart of your life; dedicated to helping you achieve your goal and I have to admit saddened because I can hear your desperate plea for financial help and know the weight it bears as I have felt that same hopelessness. This is a truly brilliant idea....and you have far surpassed what I was expecting (although in true Melanie fashion I am not surprised)!!!! You have created a movement...one that will cross over the nation and world....one that will without a doubt touch the lives of people everywhere and will be more rewarding than paying off every dollar of the 150,000 necessary to pay off your debt....not to mention a possible book deal with the numerous stories you will receive. You are an inspiration...and the hope that enables everyone who reads your message and the others that will contribute to it will fuel their desire to know they can succeed in any dream imaginable!!!
(and this is what I was feeling before even opening up the images)
Each image chosen stands strong and creates a statement similar to each carefully chosen word in your email. Some of the images I already know the story and some I am anxiously awaiting the bio as the picture really does speak a thousand words!!!! I am eagerly awaiting the progress of "Debt Free by 30" and can say confidently that my best friend will be, without a doubt DEBT FREE BY 30!!!!!!
I have the chills again and can relate to the feeling you must have been experiencing while trying to write down your ideas while going 80 on an open road with nothing but endless opportunities!!!!!!
I am so very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allison Birkmeyer - 1st Degree
San Diego, CA
November 5, 2007
2nd Degree
Date: November 3rd, 2007
I just wrote back to DaNel and now to you. And then to my daughter.... a photographer with her MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago.... another fine school educating special folks like you.
I am 99.9999999999 % sure we met while you were in Tucson visiting your sister.... if not, I feel like I have met you. One thing for sure, your photography is not new to me. DaNel shared with pride your website.
I wish you the very best in this adventure in life. I have my favorites picked out and I am ready to join your team -- and watch it work all year.
If I may be so bold to say.... I love DaNel and now you.... I am positive your Mom and Dad are so very special. May life always shine! May the stars be in your site forever.
Off to the stars I go on this beautiful night.
The next shooting star... a wish for Debt Free by 30.
Caryl Jones, DaNel's friend. - 2nd Degree
Tucson, AZ
I just wrote back to DaNel and now to you. And then to my daughter.... a photographer with her MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago.... another fine school educating special folks like you.
I am 99.9999999999 % sure we met while you were in Tucson visiting your sister.... if not, I feel like I have met you. One thing for sure, your photography is not new to me. DaNel shared with pride your website.
I wish you the very best in this adventure in life. I have my favorites picked out and I am ready to join your team -- and watch it work all year.
If I may be so bold to say.... I love DaNel and now you.... I am positive your Mom and Dad are so very special. May life always shine! May the stars be in your site forever.
Off to the stars I go on this beautiful night.
The next shooting star... a wish for Debt Free by 30.
Caryl Jones, DaNel's friend. - 2nd Degree
Tucson, AZ
First Email
Date: October 28th, 2007
1st degree of separation - Let me start by saying that Melanie Bess is my sister. I am so excited for her and this project. It has been fun to watch Melanie grow as a photographer and chase down her dreams whether it was leaving home, traveling the world, or going to photography school to pursue her dream career. Too many times we let obstacles get in the way of our dreams and Melanie is not one to let that stop her. I hope that you will find her story as inspiring as her work. I have, of course, ordered one of each print. Each one speaks volumes - again the old adage - a picture is worth a thousand words. Some of the 30 images are places I recognize, all are gorgeous compositions, some are new images I haven't seen before but touch me just the same. I have always been envious of the artist talent and eye that Melanie possesses. My hope for each of you that I send this to is that you will be touched and inspired by one or more of the images, that you will be motivated by a story of dream chasing, and that you will participate in what could be a life changing project and a fantastic testament of human connection. I will say no more as I want you to get to the good stuff. Please read on and read all of what is to follow! I guarantee that it is worth it! Best of luck Melanie! I believe in you as always!
DaNel Huggins - 1st Degree
Meridian, Idaho
1st degree of separation - Let me start by saying that Melanie Bess is my sister. I am so excited for her and this project. It has been fun to watch Melanie grow as a photographer and chase down her dreams whether it was leaving home, traveling the world, or going to photography school to pursue her dream career. Too many times we let obstacles get in the way of our dreams and Melanie is not one to let that stop her. I hope that you will find her story as inspiring as her work. I have, of course, ordered one of each print. Each one speaks volumes - again the old adage - a picture is worth a thousand words. Some of the 30 images are places I recognize, all are gorgeous compositions, some are new images I haven't seen before but touch me just the same. I have always been envious of the artist talent and eye that Melanie possesses. My hope for each of you that I send this to is that you will be touched and inspired by one or more of the images, that you will be motivated by a story of dream chasing, and that you will participate in what could be a life changing project and a fantastic testament of human connection. I will say no more as I want you to get to the good stuff. Please read on and read all of what is to follow! I guarantee that it is worth it! Best of luck Melanie! I believe in you as always!
DaNel Huggins - 1st Degree
Meridian, Idaho
The First 30
This was the beautiful bouquet I received for the first prints sold on the first day. My sister Jennifer surprised me with this very precious display of 30, $2 bills! Thank you Jenn & Jeremy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)