As you all know Julia Bridges won our contest. So, today I get this email from her:
Dear Cheryl & Megan, WOW what an absolute thrill to win your contest! I’d like to ask you for a very special favor and I hope you will consider it. After reading each of the entries this one particular entry really pulled on my heart strings. Please see below. Wow! I just learned about all your fab items from the fab Mr. Tim Holtz in Elk Grove! Now I'm planning on using your products to redecorate my kitchen since I'm totally hooked. It would be so much fun and such a great opportunity to go to Texas with my scrappin' buddies. They were my support system (my bra?) when I went through breast cancer treatments at 26. I am now in remission and a trip together would be the most amazing event ever. Pick me, Pick me! You gals rock! (and so do your products!) It would thrill me to no end if you would let her have this time with her friends. My mother was a 16 year survivor of breast cancer and was surrounded by a group of loving friends who I called the “Steel Magnolias”. They really were like those characters in the movie. Unfortunately, my mother lost her battle 13 years ago on Thanksgiving day. I’ve never forgotten about the friends that helped me and my family take care of mom during this time. This entry really grabbed me and I feel as though she is more deserving than me and I sure would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart if you’d let her have this wonderful gift. Thank you again for choosing me and I love working with your products! Here’s a fun photo of my mom in Fredericksburg , Texas where she and my dad retired. She really was a FUN MOM! Here is a picture of Julia's mom, Kathleen Bridges. You gotta love the tights and the hat. So, we now have a new winner Kathy Ahlswede. Kathy please contact us and we'll set you up for your weekend at BRAfree. And, because Megan and I are secretly a couple of really nice people, Julia gets to have her weekend also. What's even cooler, Julia gave us permission to sing her song and if you've watched our videos, you know how we sing! More to come.....
Well, you guys just started my day off crying! But, its a good one, because that was really special.
Posted by: Georgia | June 24, 2009 at 05:37 AM
Wow, it pays to have a good heart. We should all be more like Julia.
Posted by: Dede Rhodes | June 24, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Megan and Cheryl don't ever change I love the fact that yall have a heart as big as Texas even though you are not natives of our great state. I am glad yall settled here and represent a fine company in this state. Deep in the Heart of Texas as we say!
people like ya'll is why we have that saying!
DC
Posted by: Denise Cook | June 24, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Hey, Kathy! Why don't you invite Julia to join you and your "peeps" for the BRAfree Weekend??? I know that on the surface you are strangers - but, we all know that strangers are friends you have yet to meet!
Julia, YOU ROCK!!! You are a shining example of selfless generosity! If more people were like you, our world would be a much better place!!!
Cheryl and Megan - it goes without saying - you two are THE BEST!!! As always, thanks for all you do and don't change a thing!
Posted by: Shanna Paine | June 24, 2009 at 09:30 AM
What a tearjerker and what a lovely ending to it all. Cheryl and Megan you are the rocken, greatest gals I know. Peggy
Posted by: peggy mcdevitt | June 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I knew it from the first time I met you two, You guys are awesome! Julia I am so glad to see someone reaching out and recogonizing others in need. After all we all need each other whether it be breast cancer or some other mountain of an obstacle we face. None of us can do it alone.
I am truly going to miss you guys this weekend. but I will be there in spirit!
Let the good times be had by all!
Selena
Tucson
Posted by: Selena | June 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM
This is by far, the best group of wonderful gals in the world! OMG, how wonderful this all is......faith and believing are wonderful things! I love ya' all ladies!!! snif sniff
Posted by: Gerrie | June 24, 2009 at 01:22 PM
okay you girls rock. Julia you are a wonderfully kind person. I needed a good cry.
Posted by: Chiara | June 24, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Ohhh, Julia is such a sweet person! That really touched my heart, and who knew that you and Megan were REALLY nice! I think you're all probably really angels in disguise or something.
Barb
Posted by: Barbara Greve | June 24, 2009 at 06:17 PM
I love these stories - you guys all rock! : )
Posted by: Diana Dellos | June 24, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!
Posted by: writing a dissertation | June 24, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Julia, it is a comfort to know that there are people like you still living and breathing taking care of the rest of us.
Bless you, sweet girl.
Posted by: Dorothy | June 25, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Julia how kind you are!!! And you girls at Ten Seconds Studio for giving both a weekend...so kind and giving! What a touching generous act! Julia and Kathy...hope you both have the most memorable weekend of your lives!
Posted by: Theresa | June 25, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Very generous! I applaud you all.
Posted by: Michelle D in Oregon | June 26, 2009 at 07:11 AM
what a wonderful way to start the day!
thank you, Cheryl, Megan, Julia & Kathy!
:)
Posted by: Marylee | June 26, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Julia -- I think you touched all of us with your generous offer, and Kathy now knows she has more friends than she ever imagined.
Megan and Cheryl -- your heart is bigger than the state of Texas. But then, why would we expect anything else! You guys are da bomb!
Susan
Posted by: Susan M | June 26, 2009 at 08:11 AM
What a wonderful touching post;such big hearts from Texas and beyond. Enjoy!
Posted by: Jennie | June 26, 2009 at 09:57 AM
You guys ROCK!
Posted by: Nancy B | June 29, 2009 at 06:52 AM
You gals are the best.
What a wonderful blessing for you all to be together for a crafty day.
God bless you and yours.
Have a great time.
Posted by: Nancy | June 29, 2009 at 02:28 PM