05/28/2026
Eight years ago today, we lost our store, and everything in it, to the devastating flash flood of 2018 that tore through Main Street Ellicott City. The craziest part is that we had only moved into that space two days earlier. We got the keys on May 25th, and on May 27th nine feet of water rushed through the town, and our store, in a matter of minutes, destroying everything, leaving our building condemned.
At the time, it felt impossible to understand how we would ever recover. And I think we all have moments in life like that…moments that leave us feeling hopeless, unsure, and completely knocked down.
But looking back now, I know that some of the hardest moments in our lives are also the ones that shape us the most. That flood taught me resilience in a way nothing else ever could. It taught me that when things get difficult, you put your head down and keep going. It taught me perspective. It reminded me of what truly matters.
And maybe most importantly, it taught me that things are just things. While we never want to lose them, they can be rebuilt, remade, and replaced.
Eight years later, I look around at everything we’ve built…not just the business, but our lives…and I feel incredibly grateful. Grateful for how far we’ve come, for the strength we found and the lessons we’ve learned, and for the reminder that life has its own plans and things rarely go as you thought they would.
Adversity teaches us to be intentional with our time, our energy, and the people we spend our life with. It teaches us not to take the “boring” moments for granted.
While I would never wish a flash flood on anyone nor want to relive it, I can honestly say I’m grateful for every experience…even the painful ones. Struggles and challenges have a way of teaching us things that comfort never could.
Often, the hardest seasons are the ones that leave the deepest lessons behind.
(The photo of the girls is a picture of our first…and only…breakfast in the new store. They were soooo excited!!)