I got the most amazing surprise in the mail this weekend.  A thank you note from Shelli Gardner.  It was hand addressed by her with a message written just from her.  I was so excited and touched.  This is just one of the many reasons I love this company.  For those of you who don’t know who Shelli Gardner is let me tell you.  She is the co-founder and CEO of Stampin’ Up!  But more than that she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.  She truly cares about everyone she meets.  She is so genuine and honest.  You just feel better being around her.  She doesn’t think of herself as anything amazing even though we all think she is.  She’s very down to earth and treats you like you are someone special.  I love going to events and listen to her speak.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet her on several occasions and she loves hearing about you and what you like.

This is me and Shelli at the Hawaii incentive trip I earned a while back.  One of the first times I was able to spend some time with her.  One of my most memorable experiences from a Stampin’ Up! event was when my little girl got sick at Leadership and her Husband (Sterling) and Son-in-law (Sean) helped me.  They continued to check in with me the rest of the time to make sure she was doing well and they love hearing updates about her when I see them at events.  Shelli has an amazing husband and family.  I just can’t say enough good things about them.  Now I’m sure they have their faults like all of us, but I’ve enjoyed spending time with them whenever I’ve had the chance.

So you are probably wondering why I got this surprise thank you note in the mail.  Several months back I was given the opportunity to help Stampin’ Up! with a project they were doing with the Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board is a group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators who are asked to serve for a year as advisers in helping Stampin’ Up! to know the needs of the demonstrators.  I wanted to bring a little Thank You for the opportunity to work with these amazing women.  You may remember this picture from a post a while back.

I made zucchini bread and added this cute little tag.  I made one for each Advisory Board member as well as some extra for the staff who helped.  Shelli’s daughter (Sara) was also there and I was excited because I really wanted to give one to Shelli as well.  This was just a couple weeks after Shelli’s horse accident where she fell horseback riding in the Grand Canyon and was injured pretty bad.  I thought the bread would make her happy so I asked Sara to take one to her  I never expected to get anything back.  I just wanted her to know how much I appreciate everything thing she does for us and Stampin’ Up! and I wanted her to get well quickly.  It was so fun to get this thank you note and it meant so much to me.  I just goes to show that sending a hand written note especially in a hand stamped card or MDS card can mean so much.  I hope you will take the opportunity today to send a note to someone special and make their day.