Normally, I don't get personal here on the Elegant Affairs blog but I thought it was finally time to open up and let you all know what has been happening in my life these last few weeks.

21 days ago today, I lost one of the most amazing people in my life, one of my role models, my grandmother, Leona Brost Bouchey. My grandmother aka Lovely Leona was truly an unbelievable, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and I am truly blessed to have had her in my life for 37 years.

My grandmother was a huge supporter when I first told her that I was going to start my own business 11 years ago. She loved hearing all about my brides and "war stories" over the years. She would always tell me how proud she was that I started my own business (Her and my grandfather started a potato, sugar beets and asparagus farm in Toppenish, WA back in the last 1940s).

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, but I have dealt with her loss hard and still trying to fully understand that I can't just call her up on the phone or cross the Mountains and visit her. I want to thank everyone for the kind words, cards and just the support as I try to be strong and deal with her death in my way.

I do want to thank my cousin Scott and his new husband Michel who during their Wedding Ceremony nearly two weeks after her death, celebrated our grandmother with a Hawaiian tradition of honoring loved ones by tossing purple orchids into the Pacific Ocean. It was  a heartfelt moment and I think all of us there that day could really feel our mother/grandmother there with his on the beach in Maui. 

As the days go by, I know I will never forget just what an incredible woman my grandmother was but I know my heart will slowly begin to mend. Talking about her especially with my boys is the best way to keep her memory alive and I know I will see her again.

I love you grandma!