Thanksgiving—Before

It’s strange to look back on my life before 2020—

before the landslide, before everything changed.

For years, I lived inside the constant hum of running a grocery store that was open 7 days a week, 364 days a year, from 7am to 11pm.

Running a business. Raising three kids.

Chasing every dream I dared to believe in.

Therapy. Personal development.

Learning. Growing. Achieving.

And the holidays?

The holidays were another universe altogether.

Do more.

Sell more.

Market more.

Make magic for my kids.

And somehow get rid of all the ridiculous amounts of holiday merchandise my dad and I ordered because we were absolutely going to beat last year’s sales.

(And also because no one wants to be stuck with ten cases of holiday-themed random stuff in January.)

No wonder I collapsed after the landslide.

No wonder I'm still tired!

But god… it was fun.

And I am so thankful.

Tatsuda’s was my creative playground—my marketing laboratory—my stage.

My assistant store manager and I had the best time selling turkeys and Martinelli’s in elf dresses and “Bah Humbug” hats.

And whenever my dad joined in? Well, he was a fan favorite.

We created community.

We created joy.

We created feel-good vibes like no other grocery store I’ve ever seen.

And while I will absolutely never again wear an elf dress to hock frozen turkeys…

I’m grateful it’s part of my story.

Part of what made me.

Part of what made us.

Happy Thanksgiving.

From the girl who once sold turkeys in an elf dress and naughty or nice Christmas socks.

I'm a little different.