Five months ago I boarded a plane and headed to Ohio, on my way to meet my newest partner, Lori Taylor. Having recently surfaced from a ridiculously difficult year, I made a promise to my family that I wouldn’t allow our new opportunity to swallow the success we’d worked so hard to find, or consume the schedule I’d fought so hard to shrink.
I stepped from the plane into bitter cold and wondered again if I was making a mistake. Five minutes later I was shaking hands with Dave, my giant, grizzly bear of a business partner I’d been working with for a year and a half, yet was meeting in person for the first time.
Like Cindy, Dave believed in my instincts enough to eagerly absorb the risk of the unknown.
With one partner at home and another on the other side of my hotel wall, I fell asleep that night lingering through thoughts of what it would be like to meet Lori, arranging arguments in my mind; casting aside those based on fear, and herding those born in creativity to the front of the line.
Most of life’s fears are rice paper walls easily walked through.
The trip flirted with amazing and Lori was everything in person I hoped she would be. The following five months flew by in a whirlwind; our mutual dreams coalescing to create something new and magical.
But it wasn’t easy.
Chaos at work collided with chaos at home. We were losing our house while at the same time digging deeper into our dream. Work with my new team was endless and 18 month’s worth of personal projects lay fallow as I did my best to maintain momentum amid shambles of shifting projects and spinning plates.
Lori is one of the best direct marketers in the world and has personally raised over two billion dollars for the Disabled American Veterans, five dollars at a time. I eagerly sip from her bottomless well of creative energy, but Lori’s fingers, fast as they move, can’t keep pace with her brain – and even 100 or so emails exchanged between us daily only seem to highlight the fissures in our fractured alliance.
Every so often Cindy would pack my bag and drive me to the airport where I’d amble through security missing home before I’d even left the time zone. Time spent with Lori always flew too fast, while feeling like a hunk of forever. I’d sit in the car on the way to the airport, driver silent, as I felt both eager to get home and sorrow at creativity severed as it was getting started.
This last trip changed everything.
This time it was summer, and I didn’t go alone. Cindy, Max and Mia boarded the plane by my side and accompanied me to Lori’s castle in the forest. Though Lori and I still stayed up talking until two in the morning, this time conversation included Cindy and Lori’s brilliant husband Steve. Around the fourth day and the 50th awesome idea, I finally started allowing myself to wonder what it would be like to stay.
The lush green scenery, low cost of living, and remarkable tribe of wonderful people populating Lori’s life nudged us forward—intersecting goals and creative firecrackers pushed us further, but the new school looking like a wing of Hogwarts brought a weeping Cindy to a decisive YES!
For the last half year, the scrambled colors of our life’s Rubik’s Cube have slowly shifted into place; that week brought the colors closer to their final click.
Her eyes fixed on mine, Lori told me she couldn’t do everything she wanted without me. That feeling is mutual, not just with me, but with Cindy, the most significant of my life’s many partners.
We agreed on the move and felt the burn of excitement. Cindy and the children returned to California to initiate the first of our farewells while I stayed one final week to take care of business.
My dreams have clarity, purpose and infinite possibility. Everything I’ve worked so hard for, with the devotion of my family behind me, now lies at life’s fringes, grazing the edges of my fingertips and teasing me with its proximity.
I’ll miss California, but after a lifetime underneath the sunny skies that make it all too easy to dream BIG, I’m ready for a transition that will put roots in my ground and fruit on my branches.
We’ll return to California one day, but it will be minus the struggle and with all the success.
Happy Birthday, Lori. We love you dearly, and not just because you made sure Daddy’s first trip to New York was in a private jet.
See you soon.
About Sean Platt
Sounds fantastic! Good luck with the move and I can't wait to hear more about what you'll be doing :)
Hi Shannon!
Life is really exciting, and I'm thrilled that everything we've worked hard to happen, finally is. :)
Looking forward to writing more about it, too.
I love the way you think and move and embrace the future! Sounds like all things are falling into a wonderful place. Congratulations. You all deserve the BEST!
Hi Lori!
Awesome to hear from you. Sorry I've been so out of pocket lately, but it has definitely been for the best. How are things with the chop sockey?
Glad things keep looking up for you all.
Chop sockey is okay dokay. New, under-wraps project with Betsy coming along, too.
Oooh… secret projects – those are my favorite kind!
It's good to read a post from you again! Best wishes with everything. :)
Felt great to write it! Got a couple of hard weeks ahead, but will be back soon. :)
Wow, Sean! Keeping track of your professional adventures is dizzying. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and no doubt you'll make the most of it. I hope Lori knows what a diamond she's uncovered. All the best to you and your precious family.
I'm really happy for you guys Sean! It sounds like a great move and opportunity. I can't wait to hear about your new adventures in Ohio!
Giant hugs Susan!
I'm at a seminar for the next couple of days, but would love to sit down and catch up. Lori couldn't get me any more than she does. We are very fortunate. :)
Thanks Karen!
It was AWESOME seeing Jason yesterday!
Can't wait to catch up. :)
Hi Sean, Cindy and family .. and Lori and Steve .. – it really does sound as though it's all coming together – well done on keeping that dream alive and realising it ..
All the very best for a wonderful future .. congratulations & happy times .. Hilary
Thanks Hillary!
Our seasons are changing and the weather is great!
Take it from someone living in Idaho (often mistaken for Ohio by unsuspecting big-city bigwigs): There's something nice about being able to leave the door unlocked now and again.
I was in Ohio for two weeks, and we didn't lock the car or house a single time.
I couldn't believe it, but in a good way.
:)
Sean, all I can say is you've got a lot of heart. In this day and age it's getting harder and harder to hold on to the Big Picture without losing that heart. Sounds like you're assembling a great team and speaking from experience, a team like that is what will get all of you through.
Thanks Deborah!
My team is everything – without them I'd have nothing. They keep me moving, focused on the picture, and able to celebrate my successes.
Have an awesome Friday and an even better weekend!
Just catching up on your latest news – awesomesauce. I love how you take charge Sean. Best to you and yours. Trina
Thanks Trina!
We should be in Ohio tomorrow, and settled into our new life shortly thereafter.
Can't wait to see where all this goes!
I went the other way — from Ohio to California. I think you guys will like it there. You're getting Lake Erie, Cedar Point, the Rock Hall of Fame, and, best of all, actual seasons.
We LOVE it so far, and even though everyone seems to be apologizing to us for the upcoming winter, I couldn't be more excited about seeing all four seasons!
Hola Cindy. Everything you write is so magical , I’ m so happy for you and your family because I know you found a oasis of peace and happiness. Te quiero mucho Lupita. P.D. te extrano mucho tambien.
We love you Lupita!
How to make your move easier
Moving can be much easier and comfortable if you know what you are doing. I hope this advice will help you reduce the stres off relocating.
There is no reason to spend a lot of money, trying to pack and move everything perfectly:you can manage with all this by yourself and make your move free. So, How to make Your Right Move?
1) First of all, you should make a list of all items you want to move to your new home. Find out how many large pieces of furniture you gonna take with you- it will help you to decide what size of truck you really need. Measure large pieces, it will save your time during the moving process.
2)Next step is packing.You should use all kinds of materials to save your furniture from scratching and damaged. Rap, Pads, Boxes, all this stuff will help you to move everything in perfec tcondition. Rember, there is no such a thing as to much equipment if you really want to get your furniture in the same condition as it sits in your home
3)Dont try to put too much little things into boxes. Its always better to have more boxes then boxes that are too heavy.
4)Be sure to number all of the boxes
5) Remember, some of these you will need as soon as you get to your new place. Make a special box for things you gonna use first
6)Certainly, it is always better to ask professionals to take care of your furniture. That is the best way to save your time and stuff. There are a few things you should pay attention choosing the right moving company. Explore there website- it will give you an impression about their work.Try to find local company- they are usually much cheaper. I would advice Your Right Move LLC. http://www.yourrightmovellc.com
This is the most relyable and experienced local company in Ohio. They cover pretty big service area and have affordable prices.These guys know what are they doing.
Move for free!