I did a thing... I chased a dream, I followed a passion, and I fell in love with a small town, a building, and a community.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents built all the grandkids some kind of doll house. My sister and I got a little Mercantile and a beautiful wooden house. I played/worked on them on and off throughout my life. Decorating the little house for Christmas, rearrange the furniture, and moving the little family around. They have always had so much meaning to me. They are a precious memory.
The older I get the more I appreciate a story or a memory. I love anything that brings comfort, makes people remember, and has a meaning/story to it. I know some think “Stuff” isn’t important and I understand, but I believe if that “stuff” brings up a memory or a happy feeling it has to be important. Someone wise once told me, “Only put items in your home that you love and that mean something to you” I have followed that rule ever since. I hope everyone follows that rule.
When I met Melodie Church she asked me to come help her with her design shop and at the time I was struggling. I was looking for my identity, my worth, and my happiness. I never dreamed where all of this would take me. Melodie has such a free spirit inside of her. She just jumps in and embraces life and I admire and love that so much. It inspires me every day. While working with her I fell in love with a community, a building, and a little town. We would have talks often about what our futures looked like or what Netflix show we were watching. (Don’t judge 🤣) She was considering closing and I was just dreaming. When she heard about my dream of opening a little Mercantile or General store, she embraced it and jumped in. Together we opened A fern and a feather General store. She funded it and I walked beside her helping along the way. We did this with hopes that one day I would purchase it from her when she was ready to retire, sing, dance or whatever she is called to do.
Well, the day came, and she was ready to retire, sing, and dance. 😉 I just didn’t know if I was ready to take it all on my own. If you know me then you know decisions do not come easy for me. I sit on things for a LONG TIME. Ha! So, I had decided I was going to let it go and just walk away. However, it KILLED ME! I was broken from this decision!! I knew then that this store was my joy. This is what I love and letting it go was not as easy as I thought it would be…… hang on, I’m going to ADHD myself off topic for a second...
For 22 years I just survived. I was a fighter working and chasing a life that my kids could be proud of. I had my son young, and I was determined to give him a good home and happy life. I don’t regret any of that because my kids are my everything, but in that season I had lost myself. Who was I and what made my heart smile? God always knew but I didn't always listen
My dad called me out of the blue and said I had to have the store. Both of my parents knew I would always regret it if I didn’t try, and they were right they are always right. Having my parent's encouragement gave me the strength to jump, to be a little bit free, to take that risk and to live!
I don’t think I would have ever jumped without the example and love from Melodie (even though she couldn’t tell me how to fold in the cheese exactly, she guided me every step of the way), the love and encouragement from my parents, and the amazing support from my sweet husband. I also had lots of love and funny memes/TikTok’s from some amazing friends. I’m just so thankful. I’m so thankful for the people in my life and so thankful that God created this story for me and for all of them.
So…yes! I did a big thing. I bought a General store. I own Ringgold’s A Fern and a Feather General store in my own little hometown. The place where my kids have grown and where Brandon and I planted ourselves. I own a little store with my grandparents Mercantile proudly displayed for everyone to see. What a blessing!
So, friends and family please come say Hi and support this dream of mine. Stop in and give me a visit. Shop the website or send me a message on Facebook. I’m ready to write stories, make more memories for my own children, and create a little history in Ringgold Georgia.