Open Letter to My Bridefriends
HEYYY DESTIS + BRIDEFRIENDS!!!
It’s been …whew y’all I don’t even know how long, and I’m not gonna stop to try to find out because I’ll only get distracted and not finish this letter…so let’s just agree it’s been too damn long. Grabbing a mic has been sooo hard for me, so I’m picking up a pen - well, sort of.
We need to talk Bridefriends…
You know when you get on the phone with a bestie that you haven’t talked to in FO EVA, but you know they LUUUV you and you can always pick up the phone and chat like you haven’t missed a beat?
That’s how I’m feeling right now. So how y’all doing?
I know sooo many of you have planned and HAD those DESTI weddings, and you’re living life, growing your families, and all that magic and I love to see it!
Annnd I’ve been peeking in the community every now and then and see you Newbie Baby DESTIS who are currently right smack in the throws of planning your DESTI Wedding too. And I thank you for joining and watching and listening to the show!
It’s brought you HERE!
And I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I haven’t released any new content in quite some time.
And that’s why I’m HERE!
so we’re both here and
We need to C-A-T-C-H - U P cuz y'all… I have soooo much to tell you!
This has been the most challenging time of my life.
We bought our first home
I had a wild oral surgery situation
I tried and got pregnant
Had a crazy pregnancy - I was soooo sick…
Ending with 30 hours of labor and an emergency C-Section
Ultimately birthing a beautiful, healthy, precious baby girl
I’m still working through all the things that come with new motherhood (btw, I love it here…mommyhood is EXACTLY where I’m supposed to be)
Thennn came HIP SURGERY! I was non-weight bearing for…what? …like 8 weeks! and I’m currently in Physical Therapy twice weekly. I’ve had some setbacks over the months that have put on and off crutches a couple times
OH - ANNND my mom died 3 weeks into my surgery recovery - and I’m working through those emotions as well.
So yeah…There’s been a lot of physical and mental pain and stress and it’s been quite a challenge over here. My mind and body haven’t experienced anything like this extensive period of challenge.
It’s been like boom, boom, bam, okay take this, now that.
And I can say that I’ve had an amazing support system through it all that I am so grateful for.
Shout out to my phenomenal husband!
This man has HELD HIS FAMILY DEOWN!!! Don’t get me started on that man - I’m tryna stay focused…
Our friends, family, and framily have surrounded us and protected us so much and I don’t know HOW we would have made it through this time without them.
And I have an awesome therapist that has been beyond helpful in getting and keeping it together.
I have been working Bridefriends
So…
I know I disappeared from DESTI,
I really thought that life was gonna let up and I was gonna get a window that would open up long enough for me to get back into the swing of things with y’all…I thought I’d be able to take a breath,
but
the just waves kept coming.
I was like, okay… as soon as things settle down…or as soon as my hip is better, I’ll jump back in…or I’ll record a quick message to let y’all know what’s going on. But that perfect moment never came…or at least it hasn’t yet.
AND SO HERE WE ARE.
I’ve FINALLY been able to push through some of the BULLSHIT and just write this letter to you - My Bridefriends.
And keepin it funky: I’ve been dealing with a lot of guilt in being away from you. And really -more specifically, for just disappearing. I didn’t mean for it to happen this way, but as time went on it got harder and harder to say anything.
And I must apologize.
India Irie recently posted an “Open Letter” on her Instagram account that I felt deeply. I’ll link to it, but she recently made the difficult decision to cancel her latest tour to take care of herself and in it she says:
“…I need some time to align with what's true so that I can move forward and have a career that I actually enjoy. I'd like the money too ~ but when has doing things ONLY for money ever worked?
I can't really apologize for taking care of my health ~ BUT I DO apologize for everyone I've inconvenienced and/or disappointed.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7uGQscuW02
I love y’all and I have loved what I do - in helping you plan your destination weddings, (and have the time of your life planning the best days of your life! -wink wink)
But what’s next?
I’m in a place now where I have to find out what my work with DESTI looks like for me moving forward. I’m a wife, new mommy, and hip surgery recoverer…I’m sure there’s a better word for that, but you know what I mean.
So I’m gonna take some more time to work through and figure my life out as a whole, but as far as my business goes…will it become a hobby? will I try to grow it? will I drop certain elements? add others?
Which parts of DESTI speak to me…and light me up… and can realistically be done in my current life…and are most helpful for YOU ALL?
Those will be the ones that get me back in the swing of things and back to what I love.
I recently re-listened to Episode 0 of the podcast and that Omi was so cute…and sweet…and YOUNG!
I’ll be 40 next year Bridefriends! FOR-TEE!
And this Omi right here, talking to you has lived some L-I-F-E since then!
SO
Here’s the plan - so far:
I’m gonna do an audit to figure out what parts of DESTI lights me up and what’s realistically going to fit into my life so that I can consistently show up for you.
And you’re gonna let me know your favorite parts of DESTI and how I’ve helped and been most impactful, and share any ideas you have on how I can support you and other DESTI BRIDES & GROOMS along the journey.
If you’d like to share or support, you can drop a comment in this video on YouTube, or sliiide into my DMs on IG @desti.land and of course, share a 5-star review wherever you listen to the podcast. And follow me on everything.
ANND in the meantime, while I’m redesigning DESTI and basically renovating my life, I’ve decided to document my journey - kinda like I did with the 200-day DESTIDiary destination wedding countdown back in 2017.
Soooo
I’m starting a new YouTube channel about my life as I do this renovation, and I’m calling it The Omi Show: Turning 40. It’ll launch on July 21st which is 40 weeks before my 40th birthday! And I don’t have the bandwidth to release anything daily like I did when I was a young whippersnapper, so I’ll be releasing on a more realistic, weekly basis instead and I don’t have time for a ton of editing either so this will be a good exercise for me in just showing up and being. I’m both excited and nervous to share a more personal side of me. I just know it’ll be fun and I have A LOT of work to do. Anyway, I’ll drop the link below if you’d like to follow along.
So yes!
My time is up. I truly appreciate your support and patience during this time Bridefriends. I’m gonna figure this out and look forward to seeing you soon - however and wherever we end up!
And until then, as usual, I’m wishing you all the best week of your life and reminding you to have the time of your life, planning the best days of your life!
xx,
Omi 💕
