Hell of a View

Five years ago at kindergarten pick up in the elementary school cafeteria I saw a mom sitting off by herself, clearly not interested in conversation or making new friends.

Challenge accepted.

I sat down next to you and started chatting away about building our new house and moving to Cambridge, while you thought, “Who the hell is this chick?”

I kept sitting down next to you each day, chatting away, until eventually we became friends who texted…then friends who hung out occasionally…then friends who talked every day…then friends who developed an elaborate plan that if we ever get in trouble with the law we’re robbing a Wal-Mart à al Brad Pitt in Thelma & Louise-style and driving to Mexico (with a few tourist stops along the way). 

I’ve told you a hundred times since that day, and I’m sure I’ll tell you a hundred more: “I’m so glad I made you be my friend.”

Back then, you weren’t sure you wanted to talk to me – let alone be my friend – let alone be my person – and looking back, that was probably your survival instincts kicking in. A subconscious flashing red warning light for what might happen if you went down this path.

Probably far too many of our conversations these past five years have started with, “Hey – I’ve got an idea!” To which you reply (sometimes out loud, sometimes in your head), “Oh jeez, here we go…” Sometimes you think I’m crazy. Usually you’re all in. Ziplining, kayaking, limos, touring old-ass houses I just NEED to see the inside of, spending the weekend with a total stranger in a strange city so I can see Eric Church two nights in a row… You’ve said, “Alright, I’m in” so many times to so many of my ideas – even when they’re out of your comfort zone – and every time, you’ve made them even better. 

Today is the last day your business is located in Madison. 

Four months ago I called you up and said, “Hey – I’ve got an idea…” and told you I’d decided to open a salt room in Cambridge, and I was going to add a treatment room to the space that I’d rent out to independent providers. “It’s yours if you want it.”

Of all the crazy ideas I’d shared with you through the years, this one was the biggest. The most out of your comfort zone. You’ve been a successful medical aesthetician in Madison for the past 20 years – did you really want to relocate your skin care business to Cambridge? We talked about it for weeks. You weren’t sure. I was careful not to pressure you (unlike that Eric Church weekend). I had my contractors hired, floor plan finalized, and was ready to dive off this cliff solo when you said, “Alright, I’m in.”

These past four months have been SO HARD. I’m building a second business. You’re relocating yours. Anyone who doesn’t think either one of those things is really f**king hard is doing it wrong. We’ve both been pushed so far out of our comfort zones I’m not even sure we can see our old comfort zones from here. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve had hard conversations, we’ve lifted each other up when we’re down, and we’re almost there, mama. I can see the edge of the cliff and it’s a hell of a view. We’re about to dive off it, but we’re not going to fall – we’re going to soar.

Who would have ever thought a cafeteria conversation would lead to where we are now? Both our lives have changed so much since that day, and I’m so grateful we’ve been side by side through it all. 

Thank you for taking this leap with me.

“This ain’t for everybody
Toes hanging off the ledge
Like we got nothin’ to lose
Ain’t always heaven, baby
This livin’ on the edge
You holdin’ me holdin’ you
It’s a hell of a view”

– Eric Church, “Hell of a View”

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In case you hadn’t picked up on it…Amanda Reed Skin Care is moving to Cambridge, WI (just 20 minutes east of Madison)! She is booking now for appointments inside her beautiful new treatment room located inside Revive Salt Room & Sauna. Book an appointment or consultation with her now! 

Andplusalso, Revive Salt Room & Sauna is opening soon! I’m not taking appointments until I have a firm open date, but you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the announcement! #alltheexclamationpoints