03/10/2017
Hey ladies! I want to talk to you all about something very close to my heart today. This weekend marks 6 years since we lost my amazing friend Taylor. I met Taylor on my first day of college orientation and we instantly became friends. Her zest for life and adventure was completely infectious as was her sense of humor which always kept me laughing. Taylor was the person who told me I had to take Japanese in college, a decision that would lead us to being roommates on a study abroad trip to Japan. Taylor had always loved Japanese culture, but this trip really cemented that love and led her to apply to be a teacher in Japan after we graduated. On March 11, 2011, her area was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake. She was teaching at the time and helped to evacuate the school and made sure all her students were safely with their parents before biking home. During her commute home, a tsunami resulting from the earthquake hit the neighborhood where Taylor lived. For 10 days we watched and waited to hear news that she was ok, but on the tenth day we learned of her fate. Taylor was one of my favorite people and the impact she had on my life is ongoing. Her family has created a foundation that continues to help rebuild her area of Japan, build libraries and reading corners (Taylor Bunkos) in area schools, and sponsor students to visit Japan living out their own dreams. A portion of all sales from this weekend will go to benefit her Memorial Fund. I will have brand new merchandise loading into the albums today at noon. I also have 2 boxes scheduled to be here tonight so we will do a shop the box sale Saturday and those items will be added to the albums for sale on Sunday. I hope you will consider shopping and supporting this amazing cause. Xo Emily