Martini Musings

- March 11, 2020

It’s Over!

Yes...it’s over! The 2020 Gala is over! It was a great night for our school and for any of you who have planned a big event, you know this feeling…it’s a mix of relief, gratitude, a sense of accomplishment, and the feeling of a huge weight being lifted. Then comes the letdown.

I remember feeling this way after each Gala…like I’ve been deflated. Everything makes me cry. EVERYTHING! When Katie, Anthony, and Gabriel left on Sunday, I cried. When Joey & Steve, and Lori and Lyn left after brunch, I cried. Then I slept.

In the morning, when I woke up to go to work, my body was aching…from the running, the lifting, and the non-stop working…I cried. When everyone at work was saying “good job” or “you’re still standing” I cried!

Then, the reality of the follow-up hit…and I cried! There is so much to do AFTER the Gala!

Enter good friends and co-workers who offered to help and kind donors and winners who weren’t pressuring me for answers. Let’s face it, the pressure I was feeling was truly self-imposed. It’s who I am.

But…it’s over! So now, I work on the wrap up and get some sense of normalcy back. I’m looking forward to a lot…regular hours, going to the grocery store, taking time to see my family in Louisville and even squeeze in a trip to the Biltmore later this month!

Thanks for following me during the last few months of preparations for The Gala. You know, I went into the Gala kicking & screaming because everyone said, “we need change!” I didn’t disagree with that, but there were LOTS of changes. So.Many.Changes.

Fortunately, this change was a good one and the end result was fantastic! Kings Island was all lit up in Mt. Notre Dame blue and the ride down International Street was so much fun! Guests entered the room to white paper lanterns hanging from the ceilings and blue balloon clusters scattered around. The white lanterns on the tables were glowing and the ice sculpture centerpiece greeted everyone at the door!

The food was amazing…or at least that’s what I heard, since I didn’t get to taste anything, but suffice to say that when the chef, two-time Chopped winner, James Majors was tasked with planning the menu for food stations, he didn’t let us down! Each tasty station brought variety and excitement to the guests’ palettes!

Guests were generous and complimentary and everyone seemed to be having a great time. That is all I wanted…a room full of happy people. All of the worries I had, seemed to disappear into the blue lights. It was a great night.

At the end of the night, as the staff sipped champagne, with the point people from Kings Island, I thanked everyone. All the while, I knew that a thank you wasn’t enough. It was a labor of love for many of us and even the Kings Island people were feeling the love.

I have to say I’m grateful that The Gala was not affected by the corona virus…not sure other events down the road will be as lucky.

I have attached a few pictures and as I wrap up this Gala, I say thank you once again to all of my friends and co-workers for keeping me on track…and sane-ish! Mission accomplished!!