Why the secret ingredient is always Love.
You can imagine why Valentine’s Day is a big deal here at OPC. So much of our packaging is adorned with hearts, and that is by design. We love our family, friends and clients through creating beautiful flowers and delicious treats. We truly believe that “Love cures people- both the ones who give it and the ones who receive.” – Karl A. Menninger
This has been a year with so much suffering, waiting and wondering what each day will bring. We have all been challenged so much and we breathe a sigh and the old year goes. A very wise friend once told me that if I was having a bad day, I might think of someone who might be having an even harder time and take a little gift and leave it at their door. Naturally, it usually involved cookies and flowers. Those random acts of kindness never failed to cheer me up. I am so honored that so many gifts and treats were given this year by you, our cookie lovers, to celebrate, cheer, encourage and acknowledge others. Because of that generosity, we had our “best year ever”. We formed an LLC, grew exponentially, delivered cookies to caregivers, added so many fun people to our team, and creatively entered an online space that is such fun. Our website got a complete overhaul and I’ll confess I spend hours just playing with it! We are so grateful to our creative marketing and website team, Take Two Creative!
My daughter Lizzy came home “suddenly” from a job in Italy and ended up joining OPC for a whirlwind of growth and creativity while she attended graduate school. It was so much fun for me to work with her all year and see her unique gifts play with mine.
There were many cancellations and disappointments, the most painful being my stepdaughters and my mission trip to Africa, but at the same time there have been joyous new beginnings. Two of our sons became engaged in 2020. Talk about a year of love! We planted two large garden boxes and gleaned a few vegetables. We grew so few that we were confirmed in our desire to continue baking. We learned to make candles. We cooked old recipes. We filled our family “thankfulness jar” to overflowing. I even wrote a family cookbook called Sweetheart Table.
As February 14 nears, our plans for Valentine’s are cooking up to be such fun. Having such fun childhood memories of the love surrounding this holiday, we added a “classroom pack” and mug gift set that will be the perfect happy to share with friends and teachers in school, as well. I’ve also been busy designing our valentine’s flowers and collaborating with some very fun bloggers planning giveaways and sharing table decorating ideas. Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our Vintage Combo with The Curious Cowgirl. It was so life-giving to work with Mary. Look for more fun collaborations soon!
So, we go gently into the new year, holding our hopes and dreams lightly. The only thing we can count on is the opportunity to give and to love. And love cures others as well as ourselves. Happy New Year to you, sweet cookie lovers. And Happy Valentine’s Day soon, too! Let us help you love others and yourself all year long. 2021 will be the year of LOVE.
Always Love,
Sarah