Being Brave: The day there were 2

We weren't always the best of friends. Jacquelyn lived with Brian and I while she was in college, and while we liked each other, we were far from good buddies.

We're the same age. We were both born in 1983. Her birthday is in October. Mine in December.

She pretty much thought I was crazy when I started selling these "candle things" and claimed that I wanted to use this business to quit my teaching job. But she supported me. She hosted several basket parties at the hospital where she worked, and after she returned yet another successful basket party to me, I told her that she should just do this. She would be great at it. {She was basically already doing it.}

Those words would change my life in ways I never could have imagined. Our relationship would never be the same again.

Our Scentsy journey is completely intertwined. There was only about a 6 month period where Jacquleyn didn't really take her business seriously. She didn't need to. She had a great nursing job, and Scentsy was just a fun hobby. Then all of a sudden, something clicked, and there was no stopping her.

Orville Thompson, gave a beautiful keynote presentation this week at Scentsy's Family Reunion about journeys and living a life of significance. He used the phrase "a journey of abundance," and that is exactly is what our story is.

We started working our businesses together. Celebrating every success. And every misstep.

We overcame obstacles and tried new things. We earned trips together and travelled the world together.

We've rocked each others babies and tackled Thanksgiving dinner for over 30 people year after year after year. {And that's saying something.}

We have challenged each other, inspired each other, prayed with each other, and we constantly remind each other why we are a part of this "little candle company."

Jacquelyn and I at Scentsy's Leadership Retreat in 2010

The Bahamas 2014

Hawaii

Jacquelyn with Luke when he was born in March of 2009

Leadership Retreat 2010

Scentsy Family Reunion 2013

Boot Camp at the Shipping Container

Spring Sprint 2012

Throwing a baby shower for Amy Marc-Charles

Convention 2010 Denver

Convention 2010 Ft. Worth

Leadership Cruise 2011

Leadership 2010

Leadership Cruise 2011

Our Leadership Retreat 2014

Hosting a mini convention

I can't search for anything significant in my Scentsy journey without her being right by my side.

And this week at family reunion was no different. It already feels like it was ages ago. Both of our names were called as Shining Star finalists.

And we were elated. Overjoyed. I knew this was her year, and I was excited to be a close part of her success.

We got to sit next to each other on stage on Friday during general session and tell part of our story. Sister-in-laws turned best friends thanks to our Scentsy Family businesses. We talked about how Scentsy literally changed our family dynamic.

And then it happened. Friday night at the awards ceremony. As they read the 1st letter, I knew it was Jacquelyn's letter. My heart filled with joy and pride.

And then the 2nd letter described someone who claims to be an introvert. I knew Jacquelyn would never call herself an introvert. I started thinking that it must be someone else.

And then, the shock. Not 1, but 2. Two names. Two Shining Stars.

My name and hers. And I threw my head between my knees because I couldn't believe it.

And then I almost forgot to hug my husband because I was so anxious to hug her. But I did hug him!

And then I ran to her.

I don't have words to describe the joy I felt in that moment. I walked into that night knowing it was her night, and Orville and Heidi threw us a curveball.

I know that they partly knew how intertwined our businesses were. How each success and failure was walked together. But I never thought this moment would be shared together. I didn't know it was a possibility.

It still feels very much like a dream. I still can't believe it happened. But it's fitting and perfect and unforgettable.

Our story is one of friendship, family, trust, leadership, influence, and light. She is my light when I need an encouraging word, and I am her light when she needs a little spark. We are so different. And it is our differences that make us one awesome team.

Her strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. But together, we do great things.

I never in a million years could have made this business work on my own, so I'm incredibly honored and glad that we got to stand on that stage together last night. It is a moment we will never forget. It is a moment that affirms what we already knew to be true.

This journey is not walked alone. It is walked with friends and family and strangers who become friends. And that, is the most beautiful thing about the Scentsy Family....it is a family. Through the good and the bad, someone will have your back. Someone will pick you up and encourage you.

We're better together. We really are. We cannot fashion our world on needing to be significant at someone else's expense. We have to fashion our world where our significance comes from the success of those we love and serve.

In the words of Orville Thompson, "When were are connected, we can do so much."

Yes was can. We really, really can.