#allthefeelsI've tried to write this post a million times. It's strange to me that I find it so difficult to type the words, but when asked in person my mouth just opens and my heart pours out. Tonight I'm committed to sitting still long enough to find the right words to share our backstory. I spent the best part of my day sitting on the back porch of the farmhouse getting to know another sweet couple. It's all about human connection and it's become one of my favorite parts of being a "venue". For me it brings meaning to the hashtag #allthefeels. Goosebumps...while freakishly unattractive as a photo...they are a clear indicator of #allthefeels. <3 :) I can't explain why I felt compelled to take a picture of my goosebumps today...I've always been mesmerized that a story or thought can invoke such a reaction. Breathing life back into the farmSo here's the backstory, told from the perspective of a Granddaughter who adored her Grandmother. To our family and friends the Roger Strickland Farm has always been "Grandmother's House" and the childhood home of my Dad and his siblings. In 2009 our sweet Grandmother passed at the age of 93. With her last several years spent in a nursing home following a stroke, visits to the farm became few and far between. Our time spent with Grandmother was obviously at the nursing home and while her family had cared for her home during the years she was in the nursing home, her absence had taken it's toll. As our family and friends gathered at Grandmother's house following her funeral I remember an overwhelming feeling of sadness that her home and the farm felt lifeless and lonely. I wanted my children and their cousins to grow up making memories at the farm like I did and I wanted the family gatherings to continue. So we began what has been an almost decade long project to breathe life back into a place that we love.... So how did we become a wedding venue?To be completely honest, a friend of ours suggested the idea and we loved it! Our intention from the beginning was to breathe life back into a place that has meant so much to our family & friends for generations. My late Grandparent's farm has been the core of so many of our best family memories and having the opportunity to share their farm and create new memories means the world to us! It gives us a huge sense of purpose and we think it's a beautiful way to honor their legacy.
Wow! I can't believe I finally finished this post...goosebumps.
4 Comments
Mindy Keegan Seals
6/4/2018 02:44:20 pm
I love this Carole. I feel the same way about spending my childhood at my grandparent’s farmhouse. Sadly it was sold when they passed away but I’ve always wished we had kept it and done the same thing. I enjoy keeping up with this project and love the before & after photos. Great Job!! Your grandparents would be proud!!
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Carole
6/4/2018 03:48:01 pm
Thank you, Mindy! That means a lot. <3 I'd love to have you and your family out to the farm next time you're in NC!
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10/28/2022 11:40:04 pm
Arrive half business there try fact. Present method upon between.
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AuthorCarole Strickland Rodriguez. Granddaughter of Roger & Doris Strickland. <3 Archives
December 2018
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